Page:Zodiac stories by Blanche Mary Channing.pdf/120

Rh if possible, as first and second mate. This led to a deeply interesting discussion, which kept them so busily occupied that dinner-time—the oddly early dinner-time of Kirk-Andrew—took them unprepared; for which their uncle reproved them.

"I told you not to be late, lads," he said in a voice colder than he knew. "I am never late for any of the occasions of life, myself. Time is a gift; it must not be lightly wasted."

Roy looked at him earnestly. "I suppose you did n't care about not wasting time when you were young, did you, Uncle?" he asked.

Mr. McAllister colored. "That is a disrespectful manner of speech," he said very sternly.

Roy's big brown eyes grew bigger; he had not meant to be rude: he was only inquisitive.

"I beg your pardon," he said, "but Willie and I think you don't just