Page:Zodiac stories by Blanche Mary Channing.pdf/117

100 would allow that Uncle Robert was unkind this morning."

"I think he does n't remember how he used to feel when he was a boy," suggested the other. "Maybe we 'll be just the same when we 're as old as he is. He must be awfully old—as old as forty, I should say!"

Roy laughed a boy's gay laugh; the idea of Uncle Robert's great age as contrasted with their nine years. amused him. Perhaps Willie was right,—he was often right, and age was the cause of their uncle's unattractive ways. And if this were so, of course, they could do nothing but bear with him; for "mother" had impressed on the twins that old people had a sort of sacredness about them, and were always to be listened to, and said "yes" to, and waited upon, and, above all,—never to be contradicted. He sighed, thinking all these things over. He almost wished that Uncle Robert had been young