”Oh, Mr. Carter!“ exclaimed our hero.
”Yes, you do, Philip,“ asserted Mr. Carter, ”and you are quite right. However, as you told me, it is never too late to mend.“
”Mrs. Forbush will think I take strange liberties with you, sir.“
”I don’t object to good advice, even from a boy. But who is this?“
Julia had just entered the room. She was a bright, attractive girl, but held back bashfully until her mother said:
”Julia, this is Uncle Oliver Carter. You have heard me speak of him.“
”Yes, mamma.“
”And scold about him, I dare say. Well, Julia, come and give your old uncle a kiss.
Julia blushed, but obeyed her uncle’s request.
”I should know she was your child, Rebecca. She looks as you did at her age. Now tell me, have you any engagement this morning, you two?“
”No, Uncle Oliver.“
”Then I will find one for you. I have a carriage at the door. You will please put on your bonnets. We are going shopping.“
”Shopping?“
”Yes, I am going to fit out both of you in a manner more befitting relatives of mine. The fact is, Niece Rebecca, you are actually shabby.“
”I know it, uncle, but there has been so many ways of spending money that I have had to neglect my dress.
”Very likely. I understand. Things are different now. Now, don’t be over an hour getting ready!“
”We are not fashionable, uncle,“ said Mrs. Forbush, ”and we haven’t any change to make.“
They entered the carriage, and drove to a large and fashionable store, where everything necessary to a lady’s toilet, including dresses quite complete, could be obtained. Mrs. Forbush was in favor of selecting very plain articles, but her uncle overruled her, and pointed out costumes much more costly.
”But, uncle,“ objected Mrs. Forbush, ”these things won’t at all correspond with our plain home and mode of living. Think of a boarding-house keeper arrayed like a fine lady.“
”You are going to give up taking boarders–that is, you will have none but Philip and myself.“
”Will you really live with us, uncle? But the house is too poor.“
”Of course it is, but you are going to move. I will speak further on this point when you are through your purchases.“
At length the shopping was over, and they re- entered the carriage.
”Drive to No.– Madison Avenue,“ said Mr. Carter to the driver.
”Uncle Oliver, you have given the wrong direction.“
”No, Rebecca, I know what I am about.“
”Do you live on Madison Avenue?“ asked Mrs. Forbush.
”I am going to and so are you. You must know that I own a furnished house on Madison Avenue. The late occupants sailed for Europe last week, and I was looking out for a tenant when I found you. You will move there to-morrow, and act as house keeper, taking care of Philip and myself. I hope Julia and you will like it as well as your present home.“
”How can I thank you for all your kindness, Uncle Oliver?“ said Mrs. Forbush, with joyful tears. ”It will be living once more. It will be such a rest from the hard struggle I have had of late years.“
”You can repay me by humoring all my whims,“ said Uncle Oliver, smiling. ”You will find me very tyrannical. The least infraction of my rules will lead me to send you all packing.“
”Am I to be treated in the same way, Mr. Carter?“ asked Philip.
”Exactly.“
”Then, if you discharge me, I will fly for refuge to Mr. Pitkin.“
”That will be `out of the frying-pan into the fire’ with a vengeance.“
By this time they had reached the house. It was an elegant brown-stone front, and proved, on entrance, to be furnished in the most complete and elegant manner. Mr. Carter selected the second floor for his own use; a good-sized room on the third was assigned to Philip, and Mrs. Forbush was told to select such rooms for Julia and herself as she desired.
”This is much finer than Mrs. Pitkin’s house,“ said Philip.
”Yes, it is.“
”She will be jealous when she hears of it.“
”No doubt. That is precisely what I desire. It will be a fitting punishment for her treatment of her own cousin.“