Your mince pies are better than mine , if it comes to that . It might have spoiled everything if you 'd said a word . I must go home now . Wo n't you and Stephen come over after your uncle goes , and spend the evening with us ? We 'll have a candy pull . '' When Josie and Duncan had gone , Uncle James called his nephew and niece into the parlour , and sat down before them with approving eyes . `` I want to have a little talk with you two . I 'm sorry I 've let so many years go by without making your acquaintance , because you seem worth getting acquainted with . Now , what are your plans for the future ? '' `` I 'm going into a lumber mill at Lessing and Alexina is going into the T. Morson store , '' said Stephen quietly . `` Tut , tut , no , you 're not . And she 's not . You 're coming to live with me , both of you . If you have a fancy for cutting and carving people up , young man , you must be trained to cut and carve them scientifically , anyhow . As for you , Alexina , Stephen tells me you can sing . Well , there 's a good Conservatory of Music in town . Would n't you rather go there instead of behind a counter ? '' `` Oh , Uncle James ! '' exclaimed Alexina with shining eyes . She jumped up , put her arms about Uncle James ' neck and kissed him .
Uncle James said , `` XXXXX , tut , '' again , but he liked it .
Alexina Duncan James Lessing Morson Stephen Tut evening parlour years