"As if I'd let you go back to a forlorn dinner in that great house to-night! Indeed, no!" William smiled, hesitated, and sat down.
"Well, of course--" he began.
"Yes, of course," finished Billy, quickly.

"I'll telephone Pete that you'll stay here--both of you." It was at this point that little Kate, who had been turning interested eyes from one brother to the other, interposed a clear, high-pitched question.
"Uncle William, didn't you _want_ to marry my going-to-be-Aunt Billy ?" "Kate!" gasped her mother, "didn't I tell you--" Her voice trailed into an incoherent murmur of remonstrance.
Billy blushed.

Bertram said a low word under his breath.

Aunt Hannah's "Oh, my grief and conscience!" was almost a groan.
William laughed lightly.
"Well, my little lady," he suggested, "let us put it the other way and say that quite probably she didn't want to marry me." "Does she want to marry Uncle Bertram ?" "Kate!" gasped Billy and Mrs.
Hartwell together this time, fearful of what might be coming next.
"We'll hope so," nodded Uncle William, speaking in a cheerfully matter-of-fact voice, intended to discourage curiosity.
The little girl frowned and pondered.

Her elders cast about in their minds for a speedy change of subject; but their somewhat scattered wits were not quick enough.