silly," protested Mrs. McGregor hurriedly.
"Your uncle is no policeman, though he may get one if you don't stop
that noise."

At that the little old man laughed a hearty, ringing laugh, so good to
hear that in spite of themselves the whole family joined in it. After
that, everything was easy. Uncle James Frederick Dillingham tucked his
coat, cap, and bundle away in a corner and allowed his sister to seat
him in the rocking-chair before the stove.

"Put another shovelful of coal on the fire, Carl," said she briskly.
"And Mary, do you slip out to the market and fetch home a beefsteak and
some onions. You were ever fond of a steak smothered in onions,
Frederick. Timmie, you shall set the table with a place for your uncle
Frederick at the head, remember. And Nell, trot to the shed, darling,
and bring mother a nice lot of potatoes. Go softly so not to waken
James Frederick."

Promptly her host sprang to obey her.

"Well, well, Brother," murmured she, "I've scarcely got my breath yet.
I never was so surprised in all my born days as to see you standing
there on the mat! Wherever did you come from? We've not heard from you
for weeks and I had begun to fear something might have gone amiss."

Captain Dillingham patted her hand with his horny one.

"We had a long trip home, Nellie, because of strong head winds,"
explained he. "Then, too, there were ports to stop at and cargo to
unload. Add to this a fracas with the engine and you'll readily
understand why I had only scant time for letter writing. I never was
any too good at it, at best, you know."

"Men never are," returned Mrs. McGregor cheerily over her shoulder as
she hustled out of the pantry with a clean tablecloth. "But it matters
not now; the ship is safe in port and you are here in time for
Christmas--a miracle that's never happened before in all my memory."

"But----," began her brother doubtfully.

"But what? Surely you're not going to say you are putting straight off
to-morrow for India or some other heathen spot! No shipowners would be
so heartless as to ask you to do that. Besides, very like the
_Charlotte_ must need repairing after such a stiff trip. Oughtn't her
seams to be caulked or something?"

Captain Dillingham's eyes twinkled and the corners of his mouth curved
upward.

"You're quite knowing in nautical matters, Nellie," observed he with
amusement. "Aye, the _Charlotte_ will have to lay to and be
overhauled some. She had a tough voyage. Still, sh