“Oh, won’t it be nice, Uncle Morris!” cried Jessie, after reading this note. “What good times I shall have with my cousins! I’m so glad I don’t know what to do with myself.”
“You are a happy little puss generally, and I am glad to see you made happier than usual by this pleasant letter from your cousin. But are you sure, my dear Jessie, that you will enjoy your cousins’ visit?”
“Why, Uncle!” cried Jessie, with an air of surprise. “How can you ask me such a question? I am sure I shall love my cousins very much, and we shall enjoy ourselves very finely together.”
“Well! Well! I hope it may be so,” said Uncle Morris, with a sigh which made Jessie think that the good old man’s hope was not a very strong one. She said nothing, however, and Uncle Morris asked—
“When are your cousins coming?”
Jessie looked at her letter and read, “‘We are to start Thursday,’”—pausing, and looking up, she exclaimed—
“Why, that’s this very day! I declare they will be here this afternoon. Won’t it be nice!”
“Yes, to-day is Thursday. Your letter has been delayed. Perhaps you had better take your mamma’s letter to her room. She may require time to make preparations for her young guests. They will be here—let me see (looking at his watch), in two hours. Run Jessie and tell your mother!”
Jessie hurried to her mother’s apartment with the unopened letter and the news. Mrs. Carlton’s letter was from Emily’s mother and contained the same information.
Jessie was in ecstasies during the next two hours. To be sure, there was that question and that sigh of Uncle Morris to cast a slight shadow on her joy. But shadows never tarried long on Jessie’s spirit, which was so bright and joyous that it seemed as if it was made of sunshine. Happy little Jessie Carlton!