So Uncle Philip was taken in their midst into the dining-room, and he might have been likened to a prisoner-of-war captured by the victors amidst shouts of triumph.
The mother had purposely ordered supper a little early, and she noticed that her brother was satisfied with the arrangement.

If his intention had been to shorten the time he could have with the children, he had no intention of cheating them of amusement, and he told them so many entertaining things that they felt they had never had a better time with him.

At last, however, it was quiet in the living-room.

Uncle Philip was sitting there alone, waiting for his sister, who had gone upstairs with the children.
"First of all, Philip," she said on her return, as she settled down beside him, "what shall be done with Bruno?
I am sure you told Mr.
Knippel not to engage board and lodging for him." "On the contrary, I gave him full power to do so," the brother replied.
"Mr.Knippel gave me the impression that you would agree to it and would be very grateful if he took the matter in hand, so I thought that that would be the simplest way out.

It won't be so very terrible if the boys live together.