hange of wind. You might
want to go. They mightn't want to come. Things veers about, sir,
sometimes."

"I consider it disgraceful," said Mr Temple angrily, rising to touch
the bell. "I'll speak to the landlord myself."

"Steady, sir, steady," cried Uncle Abram. "Good neighbour o' mine, you
see. Spoke to me 'bout it, and I said yes, and here I be."

"Yes, yes," cried Mr Temple; "but am I to be thrown out without notice
just at a time when I want particularly to stay?"

"No, sir, of course not. That's what I keep explaining to you.
Neighbour puts the case before me, and I says if the missus is willing
nothing would please me better, and here I be."

"But you do not explain matters," said Mr Temple.

"What, not that Mrs Marion and your obedient sarvant to command, Abram
Marion, ex Her Majesty's sarvice, would be glad if you'd make shift in
our rooms--sittin', best, and two beds?"

"No. You said nothing of the kind."

"Think of that now," said Uncle Abram, smiling broadly. "That's just
like me, Master Dick. Gettin' old, you see. But if you could work it
round that way, sir, it would be making it pleasant for all parties, and
we'd do the best up at the cottage to make you comfortable; and there's
my boy Will and our Josh and the boat at your sarvice, and there you
are; and neighbour below don't upset his old friends."

"I shall be delighted, Mr Marion, I'm sure," said Mr Temple, holding
out his hand, which the old fellow shook heartily, bestowing a solemn
wink on Dick at the same time.

"That's a bargain then, sir?" said the old fellow, going to the door,
and shouting, "Lan'ord, ahoy!" in a voice of thunder, and then coming
back to open the window and yell, "Will, ahoy! Go and tell her as it's
settled."

Then he banged to the window, and turned round as the landlord came in
smiling and looking greatly relieved.

"Gentleman says it's all right, neighbour," said Uncle Abram.

"Thank ye heartily, neighbour," said the landlord, "and you too, Mr
Temple, sir. It's kep' me awake for nights."

The result was that the little party moved bodily to Uncle Abram's that
morning, their luggage being conveyed, as soon as possible by Josh and
Will; and directly they were in the pleasant sea-side rooms Uncle Abram
took Dick round the place to point out various objects about the walls.

"Welcome to 'em as the flowers is to May, my lad," he said with a good
many nods and winks; "only wipe 'em dry and put 'em back