wherefore Bellew went on, in his slow, placid tones. "You surely, are
the Princess ruling this fair land of Arcadia, and I am the Stranger
within your gates. It behoves you, therefore, to be merciful to this
Stranger, if only for the sake of--er--our mutual nephew."

Whatever Anthea might have said in answer was cut short by Small Porges
himself who came galloping towards them with the sun bright in
his curls.

"Oh, Uncle Porges!" he panted as he came up, "I was 'fraid you'd gone
away an' left me,--I've been hunting, an' hunting for you ever since
I got up."

"No, I haven't gone away yet, my Porges, you see."

"An' you won't go--ever or ever, will you?"

"That," said Bellew, taking the small hand in his, "that is a question
that we had better leave to the--er--future, nephew."

"But--why!"

"Well, you see, it doesn't rest with me--altogether, my Porges."

"Then who--" he was beginning, but Anthea's soft voice interrupted him.

"Georgy dear, didn't Prudence send you to tell us that breakfast was
ready?"

"Oh yes! I was forgetting,--awfull' silly of me wasn't it! But you are