"Well, then, if I did n't have all this paraphernalia on my feet, I
would venture to throw my arms around your neck and give you a good
hug--Uncle Cale. As it is I might flop suddenly and fall upon your
breast."
"Guess I could stand it if you did,"--he smiled happily, the creases
around his eyes deepening to wrinkles,--"but 'twixt you and me, this
ain't exactly the place nor the weather for any palaverin'--"
"Palavering! Well, you are ungallant, Cale; I don't dare to call you
'Uncle' now, for fear I might make a slip before the entire family, and
that would complicate matters, would n't it?"
"Guess 't would," he replied earnestly; "complicate 'em in a way 't
would take more 'n a lawyer's wits ter uncomplicate."
"Then let's go home and see what the Doctor is doing."
"He 's great!"
"Wait till I tell you sometime a secret about him--and me: you 'll
think he is greater."
"You don't mean thet, Marcia!"
"Mean what?" I asked a little shortly, for I felt annoyed at his tone
of protest and resentment.
"Mean? Wal, thet the Doctor 's sweet on you--"
"Silas C. Marstin, I am angry with you, yes, angry! Do you want to
spoil all my fun,--yes, and my happiness,--by just mentioning such an
impossible thing?"
"God knows I don't." He spoke, as it seemed, almost on the verge of
tears.
"Then never, never--do you hear?--think or mention such a thing again.
Promise me."
"I won't, so help me--"
"That 'll do; that's right. Now be sensible and get these skis off, so
I can walk to the house like a woman instead of a penguin."
"You ain't goin' to lay it up against me?" he pleaded, as we neared the
house.
"No, of course not; only, remember, you 're under oath. I mean all
this." I nodded at him gravely.
"An' I mean it too; you won't have nothing to complain of so fur as I
'm concerned."
"Dear old Cale!" I whispered to him as I entered the house, where I
found Jamie in a state of suppressed excitement for I had given him no
opportunity to advance his theories about what he had heard the night
before from Cale.
"I say, Marcia, come on into the office and let's talk; the Doctor is
in the living-room, writing for all he is worth."
"I can't; I 'm busy." At which he went off in a huff.