Unnoticed by the children, several new arrivals had entered the room. They were a few of Mrs. Dainty's nearest neighbors who had been invited to come in during the evening and see the merrymaking.
As Flossie stood in the centre of the ring with Dorothy and Nancy, she looked toward the playmates who circled around them, and was about to choose Mollie, when she spied Uncle Harry, and she laughed with delight. He was dressed as an English squire of an early century. Quickly she whispered to Dorothy.
“May I, oh, may I?” she asked.
“Yes, oh, do,” laughed Dorothy.
“I choose you, Uncle Harry,” she cried, “oh, come quick.”
Never too dignified to have a bit of fun, and always ready to please the children, he hurried forward and entered the ring.
“As if I'd lose a moment in joining three such charming young ladies,” he said, while the laughing children danced yet faster around the merry four.
How handsome he looked as he stood among his little friends. A brave, athletic young man he was, with a heart full of love for the children, who returned his affection with interest.
“Now, Uncle Harry, it's your turn to sing,” said Flossie. “Do you know the verse you ought to sing?”
“I don't believe I do know the one which belongs in this game, but I'll sing one of my own,” he said with a laugh.