"How jolly!" returned Winnie, waking at once but dazzled with the glare of light.
"Why," said Bobbo, sitting up in his turn and rubbing his eyes, "however did it get so sunny?"
"The sun has been lighting the lamps while you were asleep, Master Bobbo, honey," replied Donnie.
"But I've only just been asleep a minute; I just shut my eyes because—" The others began to laugh; but Bobbo insisted, and was getting into hot argument, when the breakfast bell announced that anyhow it was eight o'clock now.
"Never mind, Bobbo, you've only been asleep two minutes, if you like!" exclaimed Murtagh. "I feel a great deal too jolly to care twopence;" and the next minute they were all entering the dining-room; where, finding it empty, Murtagh entertained them with an impromptu farce, entitled—"The benefits of early rising."
They did not dawdle long over breakfast that day, but were soon out on their way to the barn-yard. The followers were eagerly expecting them, and they were received with a shout of welcome.
"Long life to you, Master Murtagh!" burst from about twenty lusty throats. "May ye live to see many another birthday, and each one be happier than the last!"
"Thank you!" returned Murtagh, heartily. "But I don't think any birthday could be happier than this. Did you ever see such a glorious day?"
"It's not likely the sun'd be behindhand in wishin' you good luck," returned Pat O'Toole.
But time was too precious to be wasted in compliments.