Part 55 (1/2)

”I don't want any tea,” I said.

”Yes, you do, lad. Fried ham and eggs.”

”Come,” I said to myself, ”I'll let them see that I can behave like a man. Perhaps I shall have to go home by the last train to-night or the first in the morning. Poor old Piter,” I thought, ”I should like to have taken you!”

So I went down quite coolly and walked into the parlour, where my uncles were waiting for me before seating themselves at the table.

That touched me; it was so full of consideration and respect for the boy they were going to send away.

Plump, comfortable Mrs Stephenson was just ready to take off the bright tin dish-cover, and as she did so there was a perfect pile of fried ham and eggs, looking brown and white and pink and orange, and emitting a most appetising odour.

”Is Mr Jacob a bit sadly, gentlemen?” said Mrs Stephenson, looking at me with interest.

”Oh no,” I said quickly; and a bit touched too by Mrs Stephenson's respectful way and the _Mr_ ”Only tired. I shall be all right when I've had my tea.”

”That's bonnie,” she cried nodding. ”I'd better b.u.t.ter a couple more cakes, hadn't I, gentlemen?”

”That you had,” said Uncle Bob. ”Let's eat well, or we shall never be able to fight it out with your fellow-townsmen.”

”Ah, deary me, gentlemen,” she cried; ”it's sore work, that it is! I'm sure if they only knew what I do they'd behave better to you. Them trades is doing more harm than good.”

She bustled out of the room, and as soon as the door was closed Uncle d.i.c.k turned to me.

”Shake hands, Cob, my boy,” he said.

I held mine out frankly, for I had had my say, and I was determined to show them that I could act like a man.

”Now with me,” said Uncle Jack in his hard stern way.

”And with me,” said Uncle Bob.

I shook hands all round; but in spite of every effort my lip would quiver, and I had to bite it hard to keep down the emotion I felt.

”Shall I speak?” said Uncle Jack.

Uncle d.i.c.k nodded.

”Why not wait till after tea?” said Uncle Bob.

”No, I shall tell him now,” said Uncle Jack grimly. ”I'm hungry, and we may as well spoil his tea and get his share, for he will not be able to eat after what I've said. Cob, my lad, we've been talking this over again very seriously.”

”All right, uncle!” I said quietly. ”I'm quite ready to go. I've packed up, but I'd rather go to-morrow morning. I want to go and shake hands with Pannell and bid Piter 'good-bye.'”

”You have packed up?” he said rather sternly.

”Yes, uncle.”

”Did you do that in a fit of pa.s.sion or sulks?”