In a few words he explained what had transpired.

"They left the house without being hurt?" asked Mrs. Paine.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Then where can they be now?" demanded Mrs. Crawford.

"I'm sure I don't know, unless they have stopped for a talk with the
general, and that's about the size of it."

"I guess you are right," replied Mrs. Paine with relief. "But why didn't
you tell us all this before you went out to-night?"

"Yes, why didn't you?" demanded Mrs. Crawford.

"Well," said Uncle John slowly, "we didn't want to worry you."

"You are getting too old for such foolishness," declared Mrs. Crawford.

"I thought so myself," replied Uncle John, "but I know better now. If you
had seen the licking I handed those four Austrians you would think I was
a boy again."

"I'll think you have reached your second childhood if you ever let me
hear of anything like it again," declared his sister.

Uncle John was growing tired of this conversation. He wanted to be
let alone.