finished.

"I think it is the letter of a fop," said my father, bluntly.

"You are too hard on him, Anson. You will think better of him when
you know him. But he says that he will be here next week, and this
is Thursday, and the best curtains unhung, and no lavender in the
sheets!"

Away she bustled, half distracted, while my father sat moody, with
his chin upon his hands, and I remained lost in wonder at the
thought of this grand new relative from London, and of all that his
coming might mean to us.



CHAPTER V--BUCK TREGELLIS



Now that I was in my seventeenth year, and had already some need for
a razor, I had begun to weary of the narrow life of the village, and
to long to see something of the great world beyond. The craving was
all the stronger because I durst not speak openly about it, for the
least hint of it brought the tears into my mother's eyes. But now
there was the less reason that I should stay at home, since my
father was at her side, and so my mind was all filled by this
prospect of my uncle's visit, and of the chance that he might set my
feet moving at last upon the road of life.