'Yes. It is a terrible time, isn't it? However, when I'm seventeen
perhaps he will talk to me, and I can really keep house.'

'And then you'll come back here?'

'Do you know, Maudie--listen--I've another uncle, belonging to mother.'

'Oh, Dolly! I thought she had no one!'

'He told me he was my Uncle Alfred once when he met me in the park with
Fraulein, and gave me a note for mother. He is called Mr. Flinders.'

'But I thought your mother was daughter to Professor Hay?'

'But this is a half-brother; my grandmother was married before. Uncle
Alfrey has an immense light beard, and I think he is very poor. He
came once or twice to see mother, and they always sent me out of the
room; but I am sure she gave him money--not father's housekeeping
money, but what she got for herself by writing. Once I heard father go
out of the house, saying, 'Well, it's your own to do as you please
with.' And then mother went to her room, and I know she cried. It was
the only time that ever mother cried!' And as Maude listened, much
impressed--'Once when she had got eleven pounds, and we were going to
have bought father such a binocular for a secret as a birthday present,
Mr. Flinders came, and she gave him ten of it, and we could only buy
just a few slides for father. And she told me she was grieved, but she
could not help it, and it would be time for me to understand when I was
older.'

'I don't think this Uncle Alfrey can be nice,' said Maude.