Ellis Parker Butler

“ It was to be expected that every unmarried lady should want to marry Uncle Jack, and the twins were surprised that he was not constantly surrounded by a ring of maidens' beseechingly posed on their knees; thus, when the young female person across the aisle calmly ignored him, and, after watching the rapidly moving landscape for a few minutes, buried herself in a magazine, it was quite evident that her purpose was first to lull the suspicions of the twins to rest, and then suddenly spring upon Uncle Jack and marry him before he knew what she was doing. ”

“ They made her life miserable."
"Her nose was uppish, like Dotty's," said Bobby, in extenuation of his sins.
"She winked at Uncle Jack," remarked Dotty to complete the vindication.
Uncle Jack blushed.
"If she winked," he said hotly, "it was because she was perfectly well-bred and wished to spare my feelings."
Mrs. Morgan smiled and laid her hand on his arm.
"Jack," she said, "there is not the least need for you to defend her. I can quite understand that winking at a strange young man in a public car is a proof of perfect breeding in a lady." ”

“ It was a glorious battle, the best they had ever fought, and before they could go down-stairs again they had to change their torn garments for others less festive, but they had conquered their woe. Life without Uncle Jack would not be life as it was, but they still had each other.
"Oh, well," sighed Dotty, when the carriage had taken Uncle Jack and the Lady Across the Aisle away, "I guess Uncle Jack wanted somebody his size to fight. He never had anybody."
"Yes," Bobby agreed, "1 guess so. I guess he wanted an uppish nose like yours to push. Come on up and fight." ”