e--"

"Baptismal name--George," continued Bellew, "lately of New York,
Newport, and--er--other places in America, U.S.A., at present of
Nowhere-in-Particular."

"Ah!" said Mr. Cassilis, his eyes seeming to grow a trifle nearer
together, "an American Uncle? Still, I was not aware of even that
relationship."

"It is a singularly pleasing thought," smiled Bellew, "to know that we
may learn something every day,--that one never knows what the day may
bring forth; to-morrow, for instance, you also may find yourself a
nephew--somewhere or other, though, personally, I--er doubt it, yes, I
greatly doubt it; still, one never knows, you know, and while there's
life, there's hope. A very good afternoon to you, sir. Come, nephew
mine, the evening falls apace, and I grow aweary,--let us
on--Excelsior!"

Mr. Cassilis's cheek grew suddenly red, he twirled his moustache
angrily, and seemed about to speak, then he smiled instead, and turning
his horse, spurred him savagely, and galloped back down the road in a
cloud of dust.

"Did you see his teeth, Uncle Porges?"

"I did."

"He only smiles like that when he's awful' angry," said Small Porges
shaking his head as the galloping hoof-strokes died away in the
distance, "An' what do you s'pose he went back for?"

"Well, Porges, it's in my mind that he has gone back to warn our Auntie
Anthea of our coming."

Small Porges sighed, and his feet dragged in the dust.

"Tired, my Porges?"

"Just a bit, you know,--but it isn't that. I was thinking that the day
has almost gone, an' I haven't found a bit of the fortune yet."

"Why there's always to-morrow to live for, my Porges."

"Yes, 'course--there's always to-morrow; an' then,--I did find you, you
know, Uncle Porges."

"To be sure you did, and an uncle is better than nothing at all, isn't
he,--even if he is rather dusty and disreputable of exterior. One
doesn't find an uncle every day of one's life, my Porges, no sir!"

"An' you are so nice an' big, you know!" said Porges, viewing Bellew
with a bright, approving eye.

"Long, would be a better word, perhaps," suggested Bellew, smiling down
at him.

"An' wide, too!" nodded Small Porges. And, from these two facts he
seemed to derive a deal of solid comfort, and satisfaction for he strode
on manfully once more.

Leaving the high-road, he guided Bellew by divers winding paths, through
corn-fields, and over stiles, until, at length, they were come to an
orchard. Such an orchard