“I won’t go, daddy.”

“Oh, yes you will.  It’s not like you to be breakin’ my heart by stayin’ home.  Next week, said that wicked old uncle—­he remoinds me of the one that tried to desthroy the Babes in the Woods, Patsy dear.  You must try to reclaim him to humanity, for I’m hopin’ there’s a bit of good in the old rascal yet.”  And he looked affectionately at the round little man under the newspaper.

Uncle John emerged again.  It was wonderful how well he understood the Doyle family.  His face was now smiling and wore a look of supreme satisfaction.

“Your selfishness, my dear Major,” said he, “is like the husk on a cocoanut.  When you crack it there’s plenty of milk within—­and in your case it’s the milk of human kindness.  Come! let’s talk over the trip.”

CHAPTER II

UNCLE JOHN MAKES PLANS

“The thought came to me a long time ago,” Uncle John resumed; “but it was only yesterday that I got all the details fixed and settled in my mind.  I’ve been a rough old duffer, Patsy, and in all my hard working life never thought of such a thing as travelling or enjoying myself until I fell in with you, and you taught me how pleasant it is to scatter sunshine in the hearts of others.  For to make others happy means a lot of joy for yourself—­a secret you were trying to keep from me, you crafty young woman, until I discovered it by accident.  Now, here I am with three nieces on my hands—­”

“You may say two, sir,” interrupted the Major.  “Patsy can take care of herself.”

“Hold your tongue,” said Uncle John.  “I say I’ve got three nieces—­as fine a trio of intelligent, sweet and attractive young women as you’ll run across in a month of Sundays.  I dare you to deny it, sir.  And they are all at an age when an European trip will do them a world of good.  So off we go, a week from Tuesday, in the first-class steamer ’Princess Irene,’ bound from New York for the Bay of Naples!”

Patsy’s eyes showed her delight.  They fairly danced.

“Have you told Beth and Louise?” she asked.

His face fell.

“Not yet,” he said.  “I’d forgotten to mention it to them.”

“For my part,” continued the girl, “I can get ready in a week, easily.  But Beth is way out in Ohio, and we don’t know whether she can go or not.”

“I’ll telegraph her, and find out,” said Uncle John.

“Do it to-day,” suggested the Major.

“I will.”

“And to-morrow you must see Louise,” added Patsy.  “I’m not sure she’ll want to go, dear.  She’s such a social butterfly, you know, that her engagements may keep her at home.”

“Do you mean to say she’s engaged?” asked Mr. Merrick, aghast.

“Only for the parties and receptions, Uncle.  But it wouldn’t surprise me if she was married soon.  She’s older than Beth or me, and has a host of admirers.”

“Perhaps she’s old enough to be sensible,” suggested the Major.