d into the cart.

"No room for you, Bob," he remarked to the spaniel, who danced about the
road in a vain endeavor to follow his master; "you can go ahead on your
own legs."

He was a tall, well-developed fellow, with a hearty, cheery voice, and a
frank, sometimes embarrassing, way of saying the first thing that came
into his head.

"What a crowd!" he continued. "Any more at home?"

"Yes, two," said his sister, gayly--"Janet, and Willy. I am so glad you
have come, Neal. But why didn't you let us know?"

"Couldn't. The _Dolphin_ put in at Marblehead, and I had gotten rather
tired of it aboard, so I thought I'd cut loose and drop down on you
awhile. Got out of cash too."

"Oh, Neal!"

"Now you needn't say anything. You didn't give me half enough this time.
Too much absorbed getting married, I suppose. I say," he added, turning
to Jack, "what kind of a step-ma does Hessie make?"

"Bully," replied Jack, laconically.

"I thought she would, but, she's on her best behavior now. She'll order
you all round soon, the way she does me."

"They don't deserve it as you do, you silly boy," said his sister.

They were a merry party that night at supper. It seemed as if Neal would
be a great addition to the family, and even Edith thawed somewhat. This
pleased Mr. Franklin, who had been thoroughly annoyed by her behavior,
and who had been really afraid that she would stay at home from the
tournament rather than use his wife's gift.

"Everything will run smoothly now," he said to himself, and, manlike, he
soon forgot all about the trouble.

"By-the-way, what relation am I to this family?" asked Neal, presently.
"If Hester is your mother, of course I must be your uncle. I hope you
will all treat me with proper respect."

"I hope we shall be able to," said Cynthia, looking up with a saucy
smile. She liked the new-comer immensely.

"Did you ever run an incubator?" asked Jack, after supper.

"Not I. Have you got one?"

"Yes. Come along down and see it."

They descended to the cellar, and Jack turned the eggs while he
explained his methods to his new friend.

"Is there money in it?" asked Neal.

"Lots, I hope. But the trouble is, you've got to spend a lot to start
with, and if you're not successful it's a dead loss. My first hatch went
to smash."

"How would you like to take me into partnership? I want to make some
money."

"First-rate."

They were deep in a discussion of business arrangements when they went
bac