CHAPTER X.
ONCE more the lilacs were in blossom in the garden of the Big BrickHouse. The blackbirds called and chuckled in the lofty branches of theelms, and robins hopped about the lawns, seemingly with the expresspurpose of tantalizing Kitty Grey. On the lawn, where the hammocks hung,a happy group was gathered. Mr. and Mrs. Merrithew were there, Marjorieand Dora, Katherine and Jack, and two others who evidently formed thecentre of attraction. Of these, one was a tall, thin man, with a framethat must once have been athletic, and a pathetic stoop in the broadshoulders. He sat in a deep armchair, with Dora contentedly nestled onhis knee. In a hammock near him sat a lady, with a dark, lovely face,beautifully arched brows, and soft eyes, so like Dora's that a strangermight have guessed their relationship.
Mr. Carman, though still an invalid, was wonderfully better, and both heand his wife were full of praises of the great, beautiful West, itsscenery, its climate, and its possibilities.
"I have come to the conclusion," Mr. Carman said, after an enthusiasticdescription of a sunset in the Rocky Mountains, "that it is no wonder weCanadians are proud of our country."
"Then you and Aunt Denise shall be 'Sons and Daughters,'" cried Jackie,"and you can read a paper about the West at our very next meeting. That_will_ be fine!"
And Uncle Archie and Aunt Denise were accepted then and there as membersof the S. A. D. O. C.
The travellers had only arrived the day before, so there was still muchto ask and tell; but Dora and her parents had already had a long talkas to plans and prospects, and the little girl was radiant with delightover the arrangements that were decided upon. Marjorie, who could nothelp being a little cast down at the prospect of a separation from hercousin, wondered that Dora did not seem to mind at all. But when, by andby, they strolled off together to the grape-arbour for a talk, sheunderstood the reason of this cheerfulness.
"I want to tell you all about our plans," Dora began, as soon as theywere seated in their favourite nook. "You see, mother says that dearfather, though he is certainly better, won't be able to work for a long,long time. Next winter they will probably go to Barbadoes, where somefriends of mother's are living; and if they do, I am to stay with you_all winter_ again,--if you will have me, Marjorie! Your mother says_she_ will!"
"_Have_ you!" Marjorie exclaimed. "Oh, but I am glad! I don't know whatI will do without you all summer, but it is fine to know that at leastwe will have the winter together."
Then Dora burst into a peal of laughter, and clapped her hands over thenews that she had to tell.
"Oh, I've got the best to tell you yet," she said. "Father and motherhave quite decided to stay _here_, in Fredericton, all summer! They wantto rent a furnished house, just as close to this one as they possiblycan; and then we will be together almost every minute, just as we arenow. _Won't_ it be lovely?"
Marjorie sat quiet for a minute, and thought it over with shining eyes.Then she gave Dora a regular "bear-hug," and cried:
"I feel just like Jackie does when he dances a war-dance! I was going tosay that it was too good to be true, but mother says she doesn't likethat saying, for there is nothing too good to come true sometime, if itisn't already. Come and tell Jack and Aunt Kathie, quick! They will bealmost as glad as I am!"
So these little Canadian Cousins went hand in hand down the garden-path,full of happy thoughts of the long bright summer days that spread beforethem.
THE END.