"'East, west, hame's best,'" quoted the doctor. "No, my dear, there's no place like it, not even New York!" with a smile at the recollection of his late experiences.
"What a lot you must have to tell me!" said Marjory. "And, uncle dear, I hope you haven't forgotten that to-morrow is my fifteenth birthday, and you've always promised to tell me everything I want to know on that day."
"Yes, yes," replied the doctor evasively. "By the way, Marjory, you'll find a surprise awaiting you at the Brae; we've a new member of our household," smiling.
"Who can it be?"
"Wait and see. It's a kind of a sort of a birthday present, but I am not sure that you will be altogether pleased."
Marjory laughed.
"It sounds as if it might be some sort of an animal. O uncle," in dismay, "I hope you haven't brought a monkey from America!"
"No," laughing.
"Perhaps it's a parrot, then, or—no—surely not a nigger!"
"No; it's not a coloured gentleman or lady, as I have lately been taught to call them."