"Will you look at that!" said King, in a whisper. "Has he been here all night, do you s'pose?"
"No, 'course not. But I s'pose he's been here some time. Do you think he's really asleep?"
"He looks so. What shall we do with him?"
"Dress him up," commanded Marjorie, promptly, and pulling off her wide hair-ribbons, she proceeded to tie one around Cousin Jack's neck, and one around his head, giving that gentleman a very festive appearance.
After she had arranged the bows to her satisfaction, Cousin Jack obligingly woke up,—though, as a matter of fact, he hadn't been to sleep!
"Why, if here isn't Mehitabel!" he exclaimed; "and Hezekiah, too! What a surprise!"
"How do you like your decorations?" asked Marjorie, surveying him with admiration.
"Oh, are these ribbons real? I thought I was dreaming, and had a Fourth of July nightmare."
"How long have you been here, Cousin Jack?" asked King.
"Well, I was waking, so I called early; I don't know at what hour, but I've been long enough alone, so I'm glad you two young patriots came down to help me celebrate. Polly want a firecracker?" He held out a pack of small ones to Marjorie, but she declined them.