Ethel walked rapidly homeward, building various castles in the air, and anxious to impart her scheme to her mother.
When she came in sight of the house, she saw to her vexation a carriage standing at the door.
"That is always the way," she said to herself. "I don't see why people must always come at the wrong time."
She felt a little better satisfied when, upon drawing nearer, she perceived that the carriage which had excited her displeasure was her Uncle George's rockaway. Uncle George lived in the country, and was a great favorite with the children, partly, perhaps, because his long pockets were inexhaustible store-houses of apples, pears, and chestnuts.
As she entered the house, she heard his round hearty voice saying to her mother: "I thought I would bring the turkey along, because, though not large, it is a very nice young one."
"It is quite large enough, I assure you, brother, and I am very much obliged to you," replied Mrs. Fletcher. "I only wish we had some way of repaying your kindness."
"Fiddle de dee!" said Uncle George. "Don't be talking about obligations, sister-in-law. You have done more for us than we shall ever do for you. I am going to send the young ones some apples and nuts before Christmas, and as soon as good sleighing comes, I shall come in and carry you all out to spend the day."
Uncle George stayed to dinner, but Ethel did not enjoy his visit as much as usual, for she was in a great hurry to talk to her mother about her scheme for making money. But just as she had shut the door upon Uncle George, and was returning to the dining room full of her secret, the bell rang again.
"What a bother!" said Ethel mentally, as she turned once more to the door.
Her heart beat fast when she opened it, for there stood Mr. Beckford himself, with a roll in his hand, which Ethel knew at once to be the picture she had painted. To her surprise and disappointment, however, he said nothing to her upon the subject, but asked to see her mother. Could he be displeased at what she had done? We shall see.