"Here I are, Fibo!"
Such a light and gladness came into Fibo's face. In another moment he had dragged his small niece round where he could see her.
Dreamikins was always a pretty sight. To-day her golden curls, her fair dainty face with its big blue eyes and long-curled black lashes, her graceful little figure in its dainty white muslin hat and frock, and her white socks and shoes, seemed in his eyes to shine with extra glory.
"You're just in time," Fibo said gravely, "to save your Uncle Fibo from turning into a growling grizzly bear."
"I'm never just too late, are I?" said Dreamikins, dancing up and down before him in ecstasy.
Dreamikins' grammar was shocking; her uncle never tried to improve it.
"Any news?" asked Fibo carelessly.
That was the question Dreamikins always liked to be asked when she had been away from him.
Her eyes looked big and solemn. She clasped her two tiny hands, pressing her finger-tips together, as she did when in terrible earnest about anything.
"The news this time is good, Fibo. You'll be surprised to hear that Blacky left me, 'bout two weeks ago. I felt quite alone and mis'able, and then God gave me a darling little angel Cherubine. She plays with me all day long, and whispers all night, unless I'm asleep, you know. And she helps me to be good, you know. I told her how Blacky helped me to be wicked. I reely got quite tarred of fighting, fighting him all day long; and Cherubine doesn't put anything wicked into my head at all."