Only Uncle didn't come home every night, you know.
When they had finished, Briton had a huge dish of scraps; Veevee sat watching him eat, and the children were very much surprised to see Briton shove one of the biggest and best morsels towards him.

The tiny dog picked up the titbit and wagged his tail.

After he had eaten it, he went and lay down beside Briton on the hearth-rug.
The "something nice" that Uncle had to tell was soon told now.
Captain Staysail cleared his throat before he began: "Ahem! Oh, you're all waiting, are you, to hear what I've got to say?
Well, then--ahem!--Professor Peterkin--" "Pete--Pete--Pete--Pete!" cried the droll, wee man, stopping him, and one would have thought he was calling a dog.

"I'm not going to be called Professor, and I won't Peterkin.

Just Pete, as I was on board ship, as I am to everybody, and must be to you.
"But just look here, Staysail, you're a sailor, and you can't make a speech.