"Weel, I might take a biscuit and aglass
of apollonaris water.”
“Water alone, my dear sir? Will yon
not put something in to qualify it?”
"1 am a temperance man. you see; but
the doctors say 1 ought to take a Urap
whisky for my stomach’s sake.”
“X am so sorry! but we have not such a
thing in the house! I will send Jane for
some.”
“London whisky!” cried Uncle Sandy,
very audibly; adding, with pious earnest
ness, “God forbid!” Then rising, he clutch
ed Mona’s arm with one hand and his
stick with the other. “I have a drappie in
my portmantle, and I'll just get it.”
“Can I get it for yon, uncle?”
“Naw!” very decidedly. “I never give
my keys to anyone!”
With many groans he bent his knees,
leaning heavily on Mona—for the port
manteau had been placed on the floor —and
manag •<! to unlock It. Mona had stepped
hack as soon as he let her go, lest he should
think her inquisitive; but the heavy lid
was too much for him.
“Why don’t ye give me a ban’?” he asked
querulously.
Mona came to his assistance, and the ex
ceedingly mixed contents of the portman
teau were displayed to view.
Uncle Sandy pitched out trousers and
waistcoats and socks recklessly till he
reached the layer where the whisky-bottle
was embedded; he handed it to his niece,
and, having thrust his garments in again,
locked the receptacle; and, rising with the
help of Madame and Mona, tumbled into
his chair again, with many exclamations
of pain. The desired refreshment was
procured, and then Mona proposed that he
should have the newspaper, and rest till
dinner.
“Ay!” said Uncle Sandy, “thatTl define.
