Well , I 'm very glad to make your acquaintance . Sit down and we 'll have dinner as soon as I can get my coat off . I want to see if you are as good cooks as your mother used to be long ago . '' We sat down , and so did Uncle William . Alberta had her chance to show what she could do at carving , for Uncle William said it was something he never did ; he kept a housekeeper just for that . At first we felt a bit stiff and awkward ; but that soon wore off , for Uncle William was genial , witty , and entertaining . Soon , to our surprise , we found that we were enjoying ourselves . Uncle William seemed to be , too . When we had finished he leaned back and looked at us . `` I suppose you 've been brought up to abhor me and all my works ? '' he said abruptly . `` Not by Father and Mother , '' I said frankly . `` They never said anything against you . Margaret Hannah did , though . She brought us up in the way we should go through fear of you . '' Uncle William laughed . `` Margaret Hannah was a faithful old enemy of mine , '' he said . `` Well , I acted like a fool -- and worse . I 've been sorry for it ever since . I was in the wrong .
I could n't have said this to your father , but I do n't mind saying it XXXXX you , and you can tell him if you like . ''
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