“It’s a little plan o’ mine.” he said, when he had become a little more composed. “She’s my housekeeper.”
“Housekeeper?” repeated the astonished Flower.
“Bein’ all alone here,” said Uncle Barber, “I think a lot. I sit an’ think until I get an idea. It comes quite sudden like, and I wonder I never thought of it before.”
“But what did you want a housekeeper for?” enquired his nephew. “Where’s Lizzie?”
“I got rid of her,” said Captain Barber. “I got a housekeeper because I thought it was time you got married. Now do you see?”
“No,” said Flower, shortly.
Captain Barber laughed softly and, relighting his pipe which had gone out, leaned back in his chair and again winked at his indignant nephew.
“Mrs. Banks,” he said, suggestively.
His nephew gazed at him blankly.
Captain Barber, sighing good-naturedly at his dulness, turned his chair a bit and explained the situation.