did, how much it had to do with the greatness of our land.

"Cob!" came up Uncle Dick's big voice.

"Yes, uncle," I said quietly.

"Tea's ready."

"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 butter 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
Dick 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 Dick 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