He could hear angry voices overhead--those of his two uncles--and a plaintive murmur, as if the Major tried to keep the peace.

Such sounds were far from encouraging to callers, and George decided not to go upstairs until this interview was over.

His decision was the result of no timidity, nor of a too sensitive delicacy.

What he felt was, that if he interrupted the scene in his grandfather's room, just at this time, one of the three gentlemen engaging in it might speak to him in a peremptory manner (in the heat of the moment) and George saw no reason for exposing his dignity to such mischances.

Therefore he turned from the stairway, and going quietly into the library, picked up a magazine--but he did not open it, for his attention was instantly arrested by his Aunt Amelia's voice, speaking in the next room.