"He is your uncle, Lucinda, and you must mention the plan to him."
"Very well."
It was a task which Mrs. Ross did not shrink from, for she had no fearof hurting the feelings of Uncle Obed, or, rather, she did not carewhether he chose to feel hurt or not.
Uncle Obed was called down to supper, and took his seat at the handsometea table, with its silver service. Colonel Ross, to his credit be itsaid, received his wife's uncle much more cordially than his own niecehad done, and caused Uncle Obed's face to beam with pleasure.
"Railly, Lucinda," said Uncle Obed, as he looked over the table, "youhave a very comfortable home, I declare."
"Yes, we try to have things comfortable around us," answered Mrs. Ross, coldly.
"Years ago, when you and your mother lived out in Illinoy, I didn'tthink you'd come to live in a house like this."
"Yes, people live in an outlandish way out there," said Mrs. Ross.
"But they have happy homes. When Mary lived, I enjoyed life, though theold farmhouse seemed rough and plain, compared with your handsome home. I'm glad to see my sister's child living so well, with all the comfortsthat money can buy."
The old man's tone was hearty, and there was a smile of genuine pleasureon his rugged face. He was forced to admit that his niece was not ascordial as he hoped, but, then, "Lucinda was always reserved andquiet-like," he said to himself, and so excused her.
It must be said for Colonel Ross that he knew comparatively little abouthis wife's early life, and didn't dream of the large obligations she wasunder to Uncle Obed. He was a rich man, and the consciousness of wealthled him to assume airs of importance, but he was not as cold orheartless as his wife, and would have insisted on his wife's treatingher uncle better had he known the past. Even as it was, he was much moregracious and affable than Mrs. Ross to the old man, whom he had neverseen before.
As for Philip, he was a second edition of his mother, and neveraddressed a word to Uncle Obed. When the latter spoke to him, heanswered in monosyllables.
"Nancy, you may leave the room. I'll call you if I want you."
This was what Mrs. Ross said to the servant, fearing that Uncle Obedmight refer to her early poverty, and that the girl might talk about itin the neighborhood.
Though Colonel Ross made conversation easy for him, Uncle Obed could nothelp feeling the coldness of his niece.
"Lucindy might treat me better," he thought, "after what I did for herin her early days. But I see how it is; she's ashamed of them, and Iwon't say anything to make her feel bad. I see I must look elsewhere fora home. Lucindy don't want me here, and I shouldn't feel at home myself. I wish Philip was more like that Harry Gilbert, who showed me the wayhere."
Supper was over, and Philip took up his hat to go out.
"Philip," said his father, "you forget that your uncle is here. Youshould stay to keep him company."
"I've got an engagement," said Philip, alarmed at the suggestion.
"Can't you put it off?"
"Let the boy keep his engagement," said Uncle Obed. "I like to see youngpeople particular about keeping their appointments."
"Your uncle may like to walk out with you, and see something of thevillage."
Philip looked dismayed at the prospect of being seen in the company ofthe rather shabby old man, who claimed to be his great-uncle.
"No, no," said Uncle Obed. "I can find the way round by myself. A manthat's used to the Western prairies doesn't get lost easily."
Philip breathed a sigh of relief. For the first time he began to thinkthat Uncle Obed had some sensible ideas.
Uncle Obed took his hat and cane, and walked out slowly, making his wayalong the principal street.
"I wish I could see that boy Harry Gilbert," he thought to himself – fora new plan had occurred to him. "Why, bless me, there he is now," hesaid, as our hero turned the next corner.
"Good-evening, sir," said Harry, cheerfully.
"Good-evening, Harry. You're just the one I was wanting to see. I've gotsomething to say to you."
What Uncle Obed had to say was of importance, but must be deferred tothe next chapter.
CHAPTER VIII
UNCLE OBED MAKES A PROPOSAL
Harry waited to hear what the old man had to say.
"How do you and my grandnephew hitch horses?" asked Uncle Obed.
"You mean how do we get along together?" asked Harry.
"Yes."
"Well, we are not bosom friends. Philip thinks I am a poor, working boy, and looks down on me accordingly."
"It don't do you a mite of harm to work. I had to work when I was a boy, and I've done my share of work since I got to be a man."
"I like to work," said Harry. "I only wish I had the chance."
"So there is no love lost between you and Philip?"
"No; he doesn't suit me any better than I suit him. He's got too highnotions for me."
"He's like his mother," said Uncle Obed. "I reckon she and Philip ain'tvery glad to see me. It's different with the colonel. He's a nice man, but he seems to be under his wife's thumb."
Harry did not reply. It was only what he expected, from what he knew of
Mrs. Ross and her son.
"I hope it won't be unpleasant for you," said he, in a tone ofsympathy.
"It's a kind of disappointment," the old man admitted. "I was hopingLucindy would be like her mother, and I could have a home with my ownfolks the rest of my life."
"Poor man," thought Harry. "He's old and destitute, and it must be atrial for him to find himself so coldly received."
"I wish," he said, impulsively, "we were richer."
"Why?" asked Uncle Obed.
"Because we'd offer you a home. But, unfortunately," continued Harry, with a sigh, "we don't know how we are to pay our own expenses."
The old man looked gratified.
"I wish you were my nephew, instead of Philip," he said. "You've got agood mother, I take it."
"She's one of the best mothers in the world," said Harry, earnestly.
"I might have known it. Such boys as you always have good mothers. Supposing I was able to pay my share of the expenses, do you think yourmother would give me a home?"
"I am sure she would," said Harry, who could not help feeling interestin the homely, but good-hearted, old man. "But I thought – " here hehesitated.
"You thought I was destitute, didn't you?" asked Uncle Obed, with asmile.
"Yes, sir."
"I'm thankful to Providence that I'm not. I've got enough to pay my wayfor the few years that remain to me. My niece might treat me differentif she knew it, but I'd rather she'd think I was in need."
"Shall I speak to my mother about your coming?" asked Harry.
"Yes; but I won't come just yet. I want to see how Lucindy'll act. Shewants to get rid of me, and she'll be saying something soon. Like asnot, she'll offer to pay my fare back to Illinoy," and the shrewd oldman, who had hit the truth, laughed.
"Very well, sir, I'll speak to mother. We've got a nice room that we'vekept for a spare chamber, where I'm sure you'd be comfortable."
"I don't much care now what Lucindy says or does," said the old man, cheerfully. "If Philip won't have me for a great-uncle, I'll have toadopt you in his place, and I guess I'll make a good exchange."
"Thank you, sir. I shall try to treat you as a nephew ought.
Good-evening."
"That's