Uncle Robert looked in upon them.
"I think you had better go out on the lake now," he said. "The air is so delightfully soft."
Sarah sighed. "I cannot imagine which is the best, everything is such a pleasure."
"We will have some music when we return. You will like the sail, I know."
They found their hats and ran down the broad steps. Quite a party were coming up the drive. Charlie and Dick, Mr. and Mrs. Meredith, and O, joy! this tall, soldierly man could be no other than General Mackenzie!
"My dear, dear young friend"; and, stooping, he kissed the forehead in his grave, tender fashion.
"So you see I have surprised you this time," laughed Mr. Meredith. "Where were you going gypsy fashion?"
"To the lake, but it doesn't matter." There was no Uncle Robert to help her, so she turned to where Sarah stood blushing and abashed, drew her kindly forward, and gave her an introduction to each one. Dick connected her with the party and Belle Hadden at once.
"Kathie was right to stand up for her," was his mental verdict. "There are plenty of worse-looking and worse-behaved girls in the world."