"Oh, Uncle Jeff," said Bernice, "it's enough entertainment just to be
here in New York for a week. Why, we will have all we can do to see
the shops and the sights--I suppose we can go around sight-seeing?"

"Bless my soul, yes. Of course you can. Go where you like. Order the
motors whenever you choose. Mrs. Berry will do all you want her to;
just tell her your plans. All I ask is that I shan't be troubled with
you during the day."

"Why, uncle," cried Alicia, "won't we see you at all in the daytime?"

"No. I am a very busy man. I cannot have my work interrupted by a pack
of foolish chatterers."

"Whatever did you ask us for?" Alicia's round face wore a look of
surprised inquiry.

"Never you mind, miss. I had a very good reason for asking you, but
one doesn't always tell his reasons. However, I expect to see you
every night at the dinner table, and for an hour or so afterward in
the drawing room. The rest of the time you must amuse yourselves. Have
you any friends in New York, any of you?"

"I have a few," said Dotty, as the inquiring glance turned in her
direction.

"Invite them to the house when you choose," said Mr. Forbes,
hospitably, if curtly.

"Oh, no, sir," said Dotty, quickly. "They wouldn't fit in."