The excellent man thought a good deal of family and had been rather worried at the hints of the ladies.

After a moment's silence he returned to a former topic, which was rather a pet plan of his.

"I don't think you do Archie justice, Alec.

You don't know him as well as I do, but you'll find that he has heart enough under his cool, quiet manner.

I've grown very fond of him, think highly of him, and don't see how you could do better for Rose than to give her to him." "If she will go," said the doctor, smiling at his brother's businesslike way of disposing of the young people.
"She'll do anything to please you," began Uncle Mac in perfect good faith, for twenty-five years in the society of a very prosaic wife had taken nearly all the romance out of him.
"It is of no use for us to plan, and I shall never interfere except to advise, and if I were to choose one of the boys, I should incline to my godson," answered the doctor gravely.
"What, my Ugly Duckling!" exclaimed Uncle Mac in great surprise.
"The Ugly Duckling turned out a swan, you remember.