"P'ease, where's Wectory?" asked Diana.
"You are not going there just for the present, my dear. This man, Ben is his name—you told me last night that you were fond of uncles—you can call 'im Uncle Ben; he's very kind and very, very fond of children."
"Oh, yes! I'm very fond of children," said the man. He spoke in a gruff voice which seemed to come right from the bottom of his chest.
"And as you don't like aunts," continued Mother Rodesia, "I have brought an uncle. You can call 'im Uncle Ben; and if you do just what he says, why, you'll be as happy as the day is long."
"Look here," said the man; "you stop your talk, Rodesia. Before I makes myself an uncle to these kids I must see what sort they are. You stand up along here, little gal, and let me examine you."
Diana scrambled instantly to her feet and went straight up to the man. She gave him a keen glance from her piercing black eyes.
"What wight has you to speak to me in that sort of style?" she said. "You isn't my uncle, and I isn't going to have nothing to do with you."
"There," said Mother Rodesia; "did I say one word too much for her?"
The man burst into a loud laugh.
"No, that you didn't," he said; "and aint you frightened of me, missy?"