Louise laughed, as she rested one hand affectionately on the girl's shoulder.
"The doctor says she has been a most devoted Allie; and we all think that we haven't seen much more of her than of you, this last month."
"I know that, Howard and I aren't any account, any longer," said Marjorie, in an injured tone, from her seat on the rail. "Howard, which of us shall get broken to pieces, so the other can 'tend to it?"
"What's the use?" returned Howard languidly. "Our noses are out of joint now, and it doesn't seem to do us any good."
"Oh, by thunder!" exclaimed Grant, suddenly.
"Grant, dear, what words!" said his sister reprovingly.
"Can't help it, Lou; look there! Dr. Hornblower is coming down the road, and I can see, by the northeast corner of his weather eye, that he's going to stop and make us a visit."
"Dr. Hornblower? Do put me out of sight somewhere," begged Charlie.
"What for? You've never seen him, and he's lots of fun," said Howard, without the faintest appearance of respect for the clerical brother.
"I know, but I'd rather meet him some time when I don't feel so much like a mummy in a museum," urged Charlie again. "Can't you get me out of this, Ned?"