o stuff his cap into his mouth to avoid laughing
aloud, but Mr. Murray did not seem to mind a bit.

"Rather stand, eh? Yes, of course; I dare say you do get sitting down
enough. I was just wanting to see you, to ask a favour. Can you give
this lad--where is he, Bertie"--Bertie emerged solemn-faced, and rather
scared, from the other side of the boat, and bowed to his uncle--"can
you give this youngster another week's holiday? I want him and his
brother, and this lassie here, to come for a sail with your boys. Mr.
and Mrs. Clair have also kindly promised to join us for a week, so that
we shall be quite a pleasant party, eh, lads? You would like it."

Dick and Harry Gregory instinctively drew nearer to their father, and
their faces expressed anything but lively satisfaction at the proposal.
On the other side, Eddie and Agnes had glanced at each other, and edged
behind Uncle Clair, who had resumed his sketching; only Eddie and Mr.
Gregory looked straight at each other, and old Mr. Murray from under his
shaggy eyebrows watched them both.

"Well, Bertie, would you like to go on this excursion very much?" Uncle
Gregory asked, in his hardest voice, and with his most chilling smile.

"No, thank you, uncle. I would rather go back to the office on Monday
morning."

"Thank you, Bert," Eddie whispered, giving his brother's hand a hearty
squeeze. "Of course we can't go without you."

Indeed, Bertie's words seemed to have brought a sort of relief to the
whole party. Mr. Gregory's smile was quite pleasant as he laid his hand
on the boy's head.

"You're quite right," he said, genially. "You and I are business people,
and can't afford taking holidays at random. We will go up to town
together, Bertie, on Monday morning, and I hope the others will enjoy
their trip."

"I'm sure Eddie will not care to go without Bertie," Uncle Clair said,
rising. "We must only wait for some more favourable opportunity for
becoming better acquainted with your lads, Mr. Gregory. Now, children,
it's dinner-time, and your Aunt Amy will be waiting. If you will join
us"--turning to Uncle Gregory--"it will give us much pleasure."

"Not to-day, thank you, as I have an engagement; but Mrs. Gregory will
take an early opportunity of waiting on Mrs. Clair;" and after a great
many ceremonious bows and smiles, they separated; Mr. Gregory, his sons,
and Mr. Murray (frowning, shaking his head, clenching his hands in the
most ridiculous manner) going one way, Uncle