Part 4 (1/2)

”Come, come,” said Sir John; ”we mustn't be miserable, you know! I hope that good Jean has got you something for supper, for the air up here would make any one hungry. Shall we go into the house? We all have to start at c.o.c.kcrow in the morning. Donald knows, and has arranged, he tells me, for a cart to hold your luggage. Let's come in, children. I really should be glad to get out of this bitter blast.”

”It is just lovely!” said Betty. ”I am drinking it in all I can, for I sha'n't have any more for many a long day.”

Sir John, who had the kindest face in the world, accompanied by the kindest heart, looked anxiously at the handsome girl. Then he thought what a splendid chance he was giving his young cousins; for, although he allowed them to call him uncle, the relations.h.i.+p between them was not quite so close.

They all entered the spa.r.s.ely furnished and bare-looking house. Six deal boxes, firmly corded with great strands of rope, were piled one on top of the other in the narrow hall.

”Here's our luggage,” said Betty.

”My dear children--those deal boxes! What possessed you to put your things into trunks of that sort?”

”They are the only trunks we have,” replied Betty. ”And I think supper is ready,” she continued; ”I smell the grouse. I told Jean to have plenty ready for supper.”

”Good girl, good girl!” said Sir John. ”Now I will go upstairs and wash my hands; and I presume you will do the same, little women. Then we'll all enjoy a good meal.”

A few minutes later Sir John Crawford and the three Misses Vivian were seated round a rough table, on which was spread a very snowy but coa.r.s.e cloth. The grouse were done to a turn. There was excellent coffee, the best scones in the world, and piles of fresh b.u.t.ter. In addition, there was a small bottle of very choice Scotch whiskey placed on the sideboard, with lemons and other preparations for a comforting drink by and by for Sir John.

The girls were somewhat silent during the meal. Even Betty, who could be a chatterbox when she pleased, vouchsafed but few remarks.

But when the supper-things had been cleared away Sir John said emphatically, turning to the three girls, ”You got my telegram, with its splendid news?”

”We got your telegram, Uncle John,” said Hetty.

”With its splendid news?” repeated Sir John.

Hetty pursed up her firm lips; Sylvia looked at him and smiled; Betty crossed the room and put a little black kettle on the peat fire to boil.

”You would like some whisky-punch?” Betty said. ”I know how to make it.”

”Thank you, my dear; I should very much. And do you three la.s.sies object to a pipe?”

”Object!” said Betty. ”No; Donald smokes every night; and since--since----” Her voice faltered; her face grew pale. After a minute's silence she said in an abrupt tone, ”We go into the kitchen most nights to talk to Donald while he smokes.”

”Then to-night you must talk to me. I can tell you, my dears, you are the luckiest young girls in the whole of Great Britain to have got admitted to Haddo Court; and my child Fan will look after you. You understand, dears, that everything you want you apply to me for. I am your guardian, appointed to that position by your dear aunt. You can write to me yourselves, or ask Fan to do so. By the way, I have been looking through some papers in a desk which belonged to your dear aunt, and cannot find a little sealed packet which she left there. Do you know anything about it, any of you?”

”No, uncle, nothing,” said Betty, raising her dark-gray eyes and fixing them full on his face.

”Well, I suppose it doesn't matter,” said Sir John; ”but in a special letter to me she mentioned the packet. I suppose, however, it will turn up. Now, my dears, you are in luck. When you get over your very natural grief----”

”Oh, don't!” said Betty. ”Get over it? We'll never get over it!”

”My dear, dear child, time softens all troubles. If it did not we couldn't live. I admire you, Betty, for showing love for one so worthy----”

”If you don't look out, Uncle John,” suddenly exclaimed Hetty, ”you'll have Betty howling; and when she begins that sort of thing we can't stop her for hours.”

Sir John raised his brows and looked in a puzzled way from one girl to the other. ”You will be very happy at Haddo Court,” he said; ”and you are in luck to get there. Now, off to bed, all three of you, for we have to make an early start in the morning.” Sir John held out his hand as he spoke. ”Kiss me, Betty,” he said to the eldest girl.

”Are you my uncle?” she inquired.

”No; your father and I were first cousins. But, my poor child, I stand in the place of father and guardian to you now.”