"And what's in these drawers, eh?" he said, pulling them out sharply one
after the other, and then opening my cases.
"Nat's collections," said my uncle very proudly. "Here's his
catalogue."
"Neatly written out--numbered--Latin names," he said, half to himself.
"Why, hallo, young fellow, I don't wonder that your Aunt Sophia says you
are a bad character."
"But he isn't, Dick," said Uncle Joe warmly; "he's a very good lad, and
Sophy don't mean what she says."
"She used to tell me I should come to no good in the old days when I
began to make a mess at home, Joe," he said merrily. "Why, Nat, my boy,
you and I must be good friends. You would like to come and see my
collection, eh?"
"Will you--will you show it to me, sir?" I said, catching him in my
excitement by the sleeve.
"Well, I don't know," he said drily; "you looked daggers at me because I
kicked your aunt's pet."
"I couldn't help it, sir," I said; "Nap has always been such good
friends with me that I didn't like to see him hurt."
"Then I beg Nap's pardon," he said smiling. "I thought he was only a
useless pet; but if he can be a good friend to you he is a better dog
than I thought for."
"He'd be a splendid dog to hunt with, sir, if he had a chance."
"Would he? Well, I'm glad of it, and you shall come and see my
collection, and help me catalogue and arrange them if you like. Here,
hi! stop a minute: where are you going?"
"Only to fetch my cap, sir," I said excitedly, for the idea of seeing
the collections of a man who had been five years in South America seemed
to set me on fire.
"Plenty of time yet, my boy," he said, showing white teeth in a pleasant
smile; "they are in the docks at Southampton, on board ship. Wait a
bit, and you shall see all."