He was anticipating the pleasure quite as much as they.
Dorothy, Nancy, and Flossie kept the promise that they had made, and Floretta fully enjoyed their kindness. She seemed unusually gentle, and Mrs. Paxton thanked them for so sweetly helping to amuse her, and thus make her willing to spend the day quietly.
The day set for the visit to the village fair dawned bright and sunny, a light breeze making it just cool enough to be delightful.
The barge was waiting for its gay little passengers.
The children stood with impatient feet on the piazza, waiting for their host, merry, handsome Uncle Harry.
At last a firm tread caused them to turn, and there he was, looking gayer than ever, a picture of health, strength, and kindliness, and clad in a most becoming outing suit of light gray serge.
The blue of his tie was not bluer than his fine eyes, and no one could have glanced at him without knowing that he possessed a generous, loving nature, a kind and merry heart.
"Come, little friends!" he cried. "Is every young lady that I invited here?" he added, looking anxiously lest some child be late, and thus by chance, be left behind.
"Every one is here!" said Flossie. "I know because I've counted."