"I shall do a sketch of him some day that will make us famous," he said
quietly.

"It's time for dinner," responded Uncle William.




XXIV

Uncle William set the table, with one eye on the harbor. As he pottered
about with the bread and cheese and salmon, a smile widened his round
face.

The artist looked up from the brushes he was cleaning at the door. "You
look as happy as if you'd had a fortune left you," he said.

"Well, I'm considabul contented. I gen'ally am, ain't I?" he added
quickly.

"So-so," admitted the young man. "You're shiftless, that's what's the
matter with you."

Uncle William gave his long, low chuckle. "I guess I be," he said
softly. "I guess I be. But I do take a sight o' comfort."

The young man finished the brushes and brought them in, standing them up
in a quart cup. "Dinner ready?" he asked.