And the children laughed in glee as they recognized Mr. and Mrs. Bryant.
"You dear things!" the lady exclaimed. "I think it's awful to startle you so, but it's the joke of your father and your Cousin Jack. I was afraid it would scare you. Did it?"
"Not exactly," said Marjorie, cuddling in Cousin Ethel's arms, but King protested:
"No, indeed!" he declared. "I wasn't scared, but I felt a little queer."
"You're two Ducky Daddles!" Cousin Ethel cried, and Cousin Jack slapped King on the shoulder and said, "You're a trump, old man!" and King felt very grown-up and manly.
"What's it all about?" he inquired, and Mr. Bryant replied:
"Well, you see, if you've room for us here in Seacote, we're going to stay here for a while. In fact, we've taken this shack with such an intention."
"Oh!" cried Marjorie. "You've taken this house for the summer, and Father knew it, and sent us over here to be surprised!"
"You've sized up the situation exactly, Mehitabel," said Cousin Jack, who loved to call Midget by this old-fashioned name. "And now, if we were properly invited, and very strongly urged, we might be persuaded to go home to dinner with you."
"Oh," cried Marjorie, a light breaking in upon her, "you're the dinner guests they're expecting!"