The Major was still frowning, but a half frightened expression had replaced the one of scornful raillery.  For he, too, knew that his eccentric brother-in-law was likely to propose any preposterous thing, and then carry it out in spite of all opposition.  But to take Patsy to Europe would be like pulling the Major’s eye teeth or amputating his good right arm.  Worse; far worse!  It would mean taking the sunshine out of her old father’s sky altogether, and painting it a grim, despairing gray.

But he resolved not to submit without a struggle.

“Sir,” said he, sternly—­he always called his brother-in-law “sir” when he was in a sarcastic or reproachful mood—­“I’ve had an idea for some time that you were plotting mischief.  You haven’t looked me straight in the eye for a week, and you’ve twice been late to dinner.  I will ask you to explain to us, sir, the brutal suggestion you have just advanced.”

Uncle John laughed.  In the days when Major Doyle had thought him a poor man and in need of a helping hand, the grizzled old Irishman had been as tender toward him as a woman and studiously avoided any speech or epithet that by chance might injure the feelings of his dead wife’s only brother.  But the Major’s invariable courtesy to the poor or unfortunate was no longer in evidence when he found that John Merrick was a multi-millionaire with a strongly defined habit of doing good to others and striving in obscure and unconventional ways to make everybody around him happy.  His affection for the little man increased mightily, but his respectful attitude promptly changed, and a chance to reprove or discomfit his absurdly rich brother-in-law was one of his most satisfactory diversions.  Uncle John appreciated this, and holding the dignified Major in loving regard was glad to cross swords with him now and then to add variety to their pleasant relations.

“It’s this way, Major Doyle,” he now remarked, coolly.  “I’ve been worried to death, lately, over business matters; and I need a change.”

“Phoo!  All your business is attended to by Isham, Marvin & Co.  You’ve no worry at all.  Why, we’ve just made you a quarter of a million in C.H. & D’s.”

The “we” is explained by stating that the Major held an important position in the great banking house—­a position Mr. Merrick had secured for him some months previously.

“That’s it!” said Uncle John.  “You’ve made me a quarter of a million that I don’t want.  The C.H. & D. stocks were going to pieces when I bought them, and I had reason to hope I’d lose a good round sum on them.  But the confounded luck turned, and the result is an accumulation of all this dreadful money.  So, my dear Major, before I’m tempted to do some-other foolish thing I’ve determined to run away, where business can’t follow me, and where by industry and perseverance I can scatter some of my ill-gotten gains.”

The Major smiled grimly.