Elsie's New Relations

with a great variety of toys and games-indeed almost everything that coul

in an adjoining apartment, called the boys' work-room. There he found abundance o

ecome so expert as to be turning out some really beautiful pieces

it far preferable to any sort of needle-work; som

ernoon, both very busy and chatt

ely things! Maybe I can contrive new patterns or designs, or whatever they call 'em, and after a while make ever so

"do you think papa grudges the mon

mently, "but can't you understand that I'd

and very thoughtful for a little girl like yo

arn to do this work well. Papa says, 'knowledge is power,' and the more

, and Zoe, in riding hat

lage," she said, "and Edward can't g

ping his saw and springing to his feet, for he was much gratified by the in

in the parlor," said Zoe, "Lul

ride this morning, and n

, drawing nearer to Lulu, excl

d you could do it so well!" she

, "Perhaps you'd find, if you should try, that you could

t to, as I'm so much older. But there, I dare s

wer hall. "All rea

e ran into the parlor where the l

he asked permission, a

id. "Can I do anything fo

st broken a crochet needle. Yo

be likely to find it; then taking some money from her purse, "This is

he boy coloring; "it is a great pleasure, it would be even if papa h

ith a pleased look, "but haven't I a right to make a litt

ace bri

ll take it willingly enough if it isn't pay, and I'

e into the saddle as

said, "I'm trusting you and Tom

mounting his pony, which To

d the latter, giving Max the bridle, then mounting a third hors

y carriage passed them, Mr. Dinsmo

he's come to stay any time? I think grandpa drove i

ow he did,

e to the village, and, arrived there, went with her from store to store, executed Violet's c

r own apartments to change her dress, but Max, without even waiting to take o

, and an elderly gentleman, whom Max at once recognized

Mr. Dinsmore introduced them, "Cousin Ron

grasp, and gazing with evident interest into the bright young face. "I trust you and I are going to be good f

ou tell splendid stories about Wallace and the Bruce and Robin Ho

is right hand deep into the pocket on that side of his overcoat, for a peculiar sound like the cry of

lter, pricking up his ears, while Violet asked with an amused

appropriate as the cluck of a hen came from

ma Vi, they're not in my pockets," returned

up's cry was heard coming from underneath a heap of crocheting in Mrs. Dinsmore's lap, fair

r hands with delight, and Max glanced fro

the culprit who brought such unwelcome intruders here. R

y, asked, "Shall I send one of the servants

l attend to it,"

ng down from his grandpa's knee and beginning a vigorous sear

hen was in the room, he concluded that they must be in Max

since I went up-stairs," said Max. "But I don't believ

asked the little f

r. Lil

f, young man," said th

if you are one, but as pup and hen could only be heard and

, coming to his side, "and please don't say

having overtaken the two little girls on their way down-stairs a

for your little girl?" asked G

ng," was the whispered reply,

y introductions were over, burst out eage

up?" sh

know hi

what ab

s pocket, but he wasn't,

utting her lips to Walter's ear, whispered, "Do

ok of mingled wonder and plea

, but there was none beyond a few jests and pleasantries wh

ie," he complained to her after

e answered, "perhap

have to

onald you want some fun. He knows how to mak

did as

n Ronald answered in an undertone, and with a low plea

Lester Leland and Edward Travilla hovered near their wives, the one with a newspaper, the other merel

tle startled cry and trying to dodge what, from the sound, seemed to be an enormous bumble bee circling round an

lf frantic rush to the farther side of the room. "Oh,

dward said soothingly, yet with a laugh, for a second

as she turned her head this way and that, "but where did it go t

smiles, were drawing round the table again wh

ax brought!" cried Walter, springing fro

disappointment. "Ah, yonder she is! behind that window curtain," as "cluck, cluck

stily drew asi

Lulu and Gracie, who had all rushed

e silence fell upon the room the "cluck, cluc

earched its whole length, but

ere, now there, little pigs squealed, cats meowed, and mice squealed from the corners, under

e feeble Gracie grew frightened and nervous, and running to "M

pa Dinsmore carefully explained to the little weeper that Cousin Ronald had made all the sounds which ha

ith a laugh that was half a sob, said, "I'll stop crying

if our little girlie is easily troubled, it is beca

e," said Mr. Lilburn, stroking her hair. "I'll try to atone for it, one o'

thanks and exclamations of delight, Walter adding, "Won't

y, as she rose and took his hand to lead him from the room; "but it is high t