Vicky looked up doubtfully again.
"If I think of some plan—something that may really do him good, you'll trust your poor old uncle, won't you, my little Vic?"
She gave him a long steady stare.
"Yes," she said at last. Then with a sigh, "I would like Geoff to get out of his tiresome ways."
And from this time Great-Uncle Hoot-Toot and Vicky were fast friends.
Then he asked Elsa and Frances to go out a little walk with him.
"Is your mother always as pale as I have seen her?" he said abruptly, almost as soon as they were alone.
Elsa hesitated.
"No," she said at last. "I'm afraid she is not at all well. Geoff noticed it this morning."
"Oh, indeed! Then he does notice things sometimes?" said Mr. Byrne, drily.