“It’s Uncle Eph!” announced Nelly Sackett in the same breath. The tall figure rose gravely and bowed to Columbia. Captain Sackett’s face was indeed like the pictures of Uncle Sam, with his little chin-whisker, lank grey hair and long, humorous face.
“Good evenin’, friends,” said he. “I come to bring the lady her birthday cake. Aunt Polly made it as a s’prise.”
“Oh, thank you. Uncle Sam!” Tante took the beautiful frosted cake, with her initials “R. B.” marked in the first red raspberries. “How nice of you to come over!”
“I jest had to see those costumes!” chuckled Uncle Sam. “You certainly did look fine out there in the moonlight!”
While they ate salad and cake and Gilda’s delicious Belgian fudge, and while they drank Tante’s health in steaming cocoa, Uncle Eph told them about his costume. “This old hat has been up in my attic for a hundred years, I reckon. Belonged to my grandfather. He was a deacon and a soldier too, and this coat sorter combined the idea of both, I guess.” He was watching Nelly and Anne as they passed in front of him together. “My! don’t they look alike!” he muttered. “I never would have believed it! Coming home with me, Nelly?” he asked as he rose to go.
“No, I’m going to stay with Anne,” said Nelly happily. And he left her there, looking almost as happy himself.
CHAPTER XVI
NEIGHBORS
Once every year Round Robin gave an entertainment for the children of Old Harbor. The Camp was rather far from the village, so they always had the “show” in the Casino, a little wooden building which the summer residents had put up close by the steamer landing. On Sunday the Casino was used for services by different groups all day long; early in the morning Norma, Gilda, and Victor went to hear Mass; a little later the Batchelders and Cicely had their Communion; then there was Morning Prayer which many other summer people besides Beverly and Dick attended. And Sunday evening the Casino was filled by a large congregation in which Anne joined with Nelly and Captain Sackett. Dick called it a “Round Robin Church.” Maybe some day all the Churches will have one getting-together service.
During the week the Casino was used for all sorts of good times. So here it was that Round Robin was going to give a show for the school children. The program was practically decided; Norma would sing, Hugh would black-up and do a negro song and dance; Nancy would tell a fairy story. But they needed one more “act.” Then Nelly had her great inspiration. “Anne! You dress up in that sweet Columbine costume and do your dance. You said you danced Columbine at a party?”