Page:The Van Roon (IA thevanroon00snaiiala).pdf/77

 "Now what do you say, boy?" The Old Crocodile was unable to conceal his eagerness. "Shall we say five pounds as it stands? We'll leave out the question of the signature. Mr. Thornton shall deal with that. Now what do you say? Five pounds for it now?"

William did not speak. It was at the tip of June's tongue to relieve his embarrassment by claiming the picture as her own; but, luckily, she remembered that to do so just now might have an effect opposite to the one intended. Even as it was, she could not refrain from making a "mouth" at William to tell him to stand firm.

He saw the "mouth," but unfortunately so did Uncle Si. There were few things escaped the old man when he happened to be wearing his "buying" spectacles.

"Niece, you cut off to bed," he said sternly. "And you must learn not to butt in, or one of these days you'll bite granite."

June showed no desire to obey, but Uncle Si, with a look set and dour, shuffled as far as the parlour door and opened it. "No more of it, my girl." The voice was full of menace.

One further instant June hesitated. The picture had been given to her, and the right and proper course was to claim it. But this daughter of the midlands was afraid of a false move. The revelation sprang to the tip of her tongue, yet a mysterious power seemed to hold it back. She may have expected help from William, but he, alas, seemed too much occupied in proving his case to be able to give a moment's thought to the picture's ownership.

"Off to bed with you." The old man's voice was