Uncle basil had made his fortune as a stockbroker.

Uncle basil pretended to be deaf.

The major character in the story is :

Uncle Basil was

Aunt Clotilda called uncle Basil:

Verner does not pester Uncle Basil about his money.

Verner wants to be:

Uncle Basil lived neatly in a house very much too small for his money.

Uncle Basil also used Verner to run message to his family.