Just then the door opened, and her Uncle George walked into the room.
'Why, Uncle George, where have you come from?' said Kitty, jumping up. 'I thought you were not coming home till next week.'
'I came home last night,' said Uncle George, 'but I did not expect to find you here. I thought you would be going to the picnic.'
'I should like to go,' said Kitty, 'but I was not invited. I do not know Mrs. Somers.'
'Neither do I,' said Uncle George; 'but suppose we have a little picnic of our own, Kitty? I have got my dog-cart at the door, and there is room in the castle grounds for a dozen picnic parties; and we should not take up much room.'
Kitty clapped her hands.
'Put on your hat, then, and we will go,' said Uncle George. 'My little Kitty shall see the castle, and climb the ruins.'
'Oh, Uncle George, how good you are!' said Kitty, as they drove along. 'I never thought I should be so happy as I am to-day.'
'But, Kitty,' said Uncle George very gravely, 'I am afraid it can't be quite a picnic, for we have brought nothing to eat with us. What shall we do?'
'I shan't mind,' said Kitty; 'but I am afraid that you will be hungry, Uncle George.'