The Major returned to his office with a grave face, and sat for the
best part of three hours in a brown study. Then he took his hat and
went home.
Patsy asked anxiously if anything had happened, when she saw his face;
but the Major shook his head.
Uncle John arrived just in time for dinner, in a very genial mood,
and he and Patsy kept up a lively conversation at the table while the
Major looked stern every time he caught the little man's eye.
But Uncle John never minded. He was not even as meek and humble as
usual, but laughed and chatted with the freedom of a boy just out of
school, which made Patsy think the new clothes had improved him in
more ways than one.
When dinner was over the Major led them into the sitting-room, turned
up the lights, and then confronted the little man with a determined
and majestic air.
"Sir," said he, "give an account of yourself."
"Eh?"
"John Merrick, millionaire and impostor, who came into my family under
false pretenses and won our love and friendship when we didn't know
it, give an account of yourself!"
Patsy laughed.
"What are you up to, Daddy?" she demanded. "What has Uncle John been
doing?"
"Deceiving us, my dear.
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