tired," said the old lady, when breakfast was over.

"I came all the way from Calcutta for that express purpose, ma'am.
Only I must send the sisters word of my arrival, for they don't
expect me till to-morrow, you know, and there will be a row in
church if those boys see me without warning."

"I'll send Ben up the hill, and you can step over to Myra's yourself;
it will please her, and you will have plenty of time."

Dr. Alec was off at once, and they saw no more of him till the old
barouche was at the door, and Aunt Plenty just rustling downstairs
in her Sunday best, with Rose like a little black shadow behind
her.

Away they drove in state, and all the way Uncle Alec's hat was
more off his head than on, for everyone they met smiled and
bowed, and gave him as blithe a greeting as the day permitted.

It was evident that the warning had been a wise one, for, in spite of
time and place, the lads were in such a ferment that their elders sat
in momentary dread of an unseemly outbreak somewhere. It was
simply impossible to keep those fourteen eyes off Uncle Alec, and
the dreadful things that were done during sermon-time will hardly
be believed.

Rose dared not look up after a while, for these bad boys vented
their emotions upon her till she was ready to laugh and cry with
mingled amusement and vexation. Charlie winked rapturously at
her behind his mother's fan; Mac openly pointed to the tall figure