Stella Rosevelt — page 104: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

98 THE UNWELCOME GUEST. Mr. Richards received his wife's relative with every appear- ance of cordiality, although there was a restraint-in his manner which could be felt rather than explained. ‘“Ah, Uncle Jacob!” he said, as he shook him by the hand and took his hat from him; ‘‘we hardly thought you could arrive quite so soon. I should have looked for you to-morrow, however. Sit down—sit down; and, John,” turning to the man who had shown him in, ‘‘tell Mrs. Blunt to fix up a nice little supper and send it in here on a tray.” ‘‘Don't put yourself out, George; anything will do for to- night. Iam more tired than hungry,” the old man said, sink- ing into a luxurious chair with a weary sigh, and removing the green shade entirely from his eyes. Mr. Richards fidgeted and looked uneasy. He knew that there was not a room in the house that his wife would give up; every one had been arranged for company who were expected or had already arrived, and he was at his wits’ end to know what to do with him. ‘Uncle Jacob” poor and ill was an entirely different char- acter from ‘‘ Uncle Jacob” rich and prosperous. But he sat chatting socially with him until Mrs. Blunt ap- peared with a tray and served a tempting little meal, which the old gentleman ate with evident relish. ‘‘T was more hungry than I thought,” he said, when at length he had finished his second cup of tea, eaten the leg of-a chicken and a couple of rolls. ‘‘ Now, if you please, I should like to be shown to my room, for I have traveled a long dis- tance to-day. But—where is Ellen? I should like to exchange greetings with her before I go.” “Ahem!” began Mr. Richards, feeling extremely uncomfort- able. ‘‘Ellen has a house full of company to-night; if you could excuse her, and wait until to-morrow ——” ; ‘*Certainly—certainly,” the old man said, hastily, but ina —_— - <<GO =} Ebooks (E(@)