"You ain't gone there yet and afore you do maybe Cap'n Shad and I can think up some relations for you." "Real relations ?" asked Mary-'Gusta, eagerly.
"Well, no, not real ones; I'm afraid we couldn't do that.

But when it comes to make-believe, that might be different." He hesitated an instant, glanced at the Captain, and then added: "I tell you what you do: you just pretend I'm your relation, a--well, an uncle, that's better'n nothin'.

You just call me 'Uncle Zoeth.' That'll be a start, anyhow.

Think you'd like to call me 'Uncle Zoeth' ?" Mary-'Gusta's eyes shone.

"Oh, yes!" she cried.