fun. Frank had left for Hull the evening before to meet him, and here was
Tom the sailor, tall and bonny and dark. Pansy jumped into his arms like
a baby, Aralia rushed to meet him, and his mother came out, though a
little more slowly. When the bustle was all over, and Tom had answered
nearly a hundred questions, they all went in to tea.

"Yes, Aralia, Uncle is coming up from Hull with Father and Cousin Frank,
and we shall stop here three whole days before we go back to clear ship
and pay off"

"And," added Tom, "Uncle has something so strange and nice to tell you!"

"What is it, Tom?" said his two sisters, both in a breath as it were.

"I can't, won't, and sha'n't tell you, girls," cried Tom, laughing,
"because that would spoil the fun when Uncle comes."

So all, even Veevee, who would not get off Tom's knees for a minute, had
to be as patient as they could. But the time passed so quickly, listening
to all this hearty young sailor had to tell of his voyage to the far
north, that before anyone was aware it was nearly seven o'clock.

And now down jumps Veevee and runs towards the door, barking aloud as if
he were a very big dog.

"They're coming! They're coming! Veevee knows!" And coming they were
indeed.

Tom had had a hearty welcome when he arrived, but when this best of
uncles at last managed to sit down on the sofa: "Shiver my timbers,