"'O dear,' said Mary, in dismay, 'and I wanted to show him the new hammock swing Papa has given us!'
"'We've lost our swing for certain,' said Jeanie, who was a regular romp; 'what a bother!'
"'Rain, rain, go to Spain,' chanted Baby, in her squeaky voice—while Dora joined in chorus.
"'Who's singing that contraband rhyme?' said Papa, coming in; 'I'm too thankful for the rain for the sake of my peas and potatoes!'
"'And the strawberries too,' chimed in Mamma; 'just think, children, how they were shrivelling for want of rain.'
"'But we can't get out,' bawled all the children, 'and now Uncle Gee's come we had such lots of things to show him!'
"'What's the matter now?' said Uncle Gee, coming in. 'All this racket about a little rain! Why, I was just thinking, while I was dressing, what a jolly day it would be to make a Kite!'
"'Make a Kite!' shouted Bob; 'O how stunning; O Uncle Gee, can you show us how to do it?'
"'I think I can, Bob,' replied his Uncle, 'but at any rate we'll try, and with Mamma's help perhaps we can manage it. I dare say she will let us have the school-room to make all our litters in, and I shall want every man jack of you to help!'
"'Am I man jack too, Uncle Gee?' asked Baby, very anxiously.