“Something from Virginia, if I had it.”
Mrs. Corner and Miss Helen exchanged glances. Jack was the most warm-hearted child in the world and the thought was quite in character. “I brought away some snap-shots of the old home and some of the scenery around,” said Mrs. Corner. “They are some Dr. Woods sent me, but I can get duplicates, I know. How should you like to get a small album to put them in and give that to Cousin Maria?”
“The very thing!” exclaimed Jack. “That is a darling idea, mother.”
“I’ll show them to you if you will get them from my room,” said Mrs. Corner. “They are on the shelf where the clock is, and are in a blue envelope. We can select whatever seems suitable.”
Jack ran off highly pleased, but leaving all the others busily thinking what they could carry as gifts to their down-east cousin.
CHAPTER III
COUSIN MARIA
The romance surrounding Cousin Maria’s early days gave zest to the expedition upon which the Corners started on the day appointed. Each was provided with some gift; Jack, of course, carried her book of photographs, Mary Lee took a little Indian basket, Jean had a box of peppermints. “Old ladies always like peppermints,” she said. Nan had wavered between a volume of Father Ryan’s poems and one of Thomas Nelson Page’s collections of stories, but finally decided upon the latter as perhaps Cousin Maria did not care for poetry.
It was not a long trip, and when they alighted at the station it was still rather early in the day. Miss Phebe was there to meet them, “booted and spurred,” as Nan said afterward. If the children had not been prepared, and if they had not been too polite to stare, they certainly would have gazed in amazement at the odd figure which presented itself to their view as they stood waiting on the platform. Miss Helen made the proper introductions which Miss Phebe acknowledged in the set phrase, “Pleased to meet you,” and with a funny little bob of the head. She led the way to a weather-beaten old buggy, mud-splashed and dingy. “I cal’lated one of you could ride in here with me,” she said, “and the rest could go with Nathan in the wagon. He’s put a lot of clean straw in, and I guess you’ll go comfortable.”
“Oh, a straw ride? What fun!” cried Jack, to whom most novelties were agreeable. “Aunt Helen, you can sit with the driver if you want to.” As Jack always claimed this privilege for herself, Miss Helen was fain to believe that either she was disposed to sacrifice herself to her aunt’s comfort, or that riding on the straw-strewn floor of the wagon held superior charms, so she smilingly acquiesced. They all clambered in after Mrs. Corner had taken her place in the buggy, and the start was made in a merry mood.