“It’s a surprise!” said another voice, and in came Kenneth with a boy of about the same age, who was grinning all over his jolly freckled face. Rose flew at him rapturously.
“Cousin Charlie!” she squealed. “Oh, how nice!”
“Hello, Rose!” the boy said. “Having a party?”
“They are the little Prouts,” whispered Rose. “You remember, we told you about them.”
“He is my cousin, Charlie Carroll,” explained Kenneth to the Prout children. “I say, Charlie, why didn’t you tell us you were coming? Are you going to stay?”
“Yes, I have come to stay four weeks,” said Charlie. “Aunt Mollie asked me, and it was to be a secret.”
“Oh, goodie, goodie!” cried Rose, hopping up and down. “What fine times we shall have now!”
“I came up on the boat last night with Aunt Clare,” said Charlie. “Uncle Jack met us at the wharf this morning, and when Aunt Mollie said you kids were all down here I ran away and came as softly as I could so as to surprise you.”
“Aunt Clare here, too! Oh, what fun!” cried Rose.
“You came just in time to be a pirate,” said Kenneth.