"
"Yes, all of us," proceeded Anastasia; "he said the little ones too."
"So you should have done, you poor darlings, but for that accident,"
said Valentine.
"And we were to see the pears and apples gathered, and have such fun. Do
you know that you're a sort of uncle now to us?"
"What sort? The right sort?"
"Yes, and now when shall we come?"
"I am afraid I shall be away all the winter."
"In the spring, then, and father and the dear mamma."
"It's a long time till the spring," said Valentine, with a sigh; "but if
I am at Melcombe then-"
"You'll have us?"
"Yes."
"Then let it be in the Easter holidays," said Johnnie, "that I may come
too."
"All right," said Valentine, and he took leave of them, and departed in
one of their father's carriages for the Junction, muttering as he looked
back at the house, "No, you'll never see Melcombe, youngsters. I shall
be at the other end of the earth, perhaps, by that time."
"Oh, what a long time to wait!" quoth the younger Mortimers; "five
months and a half to Easter--twenty-three weeks--twenty-three times
seven--what a lot of days! Now, if we were going to sea, as the Brandon
baby is, we shouldn't mind waiting.
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