“At everything Rollo said Stella and Anabelle laughed very loud”
Besides his Cousin Stella there were at the table two others, a young lady named Anabelle Litchfield and a lad about Rollo’s age whose name was Rupert Hogan. Rollo made his best bow to each and said, “I am very pleased indeed to make your acquaintance,” just as his mother had taught him from the deportment book which Jonas had purchased. Soon the young folk were chatting merrily. Indeed there were so many strange and wonderful things to see and hear, that Rollo could scarce taste the delicious food that was set before him, though, taste it or not, he remembered his father’s warning to eat as heartily as possible.
First of all there was a band of music, the like of which Rollo had never heard before. There was also the prettiest little fountain.
“Do you suppose they would let me angle in the fountain, Cousin Stella?” asked Rollo, thinking of his little line and bobbin at home, and keeping time to the music with his fork.
“Yes, indeed, Rollo, old Kid,” said his cousin.
When Rollo was not engaged in looking about the room, he was occupied in watching his Cousin Stella, who did many things which surprised him. To begin with, she always talked when her mouth was full, and she was never still a moment, what with pointing, gesticulating, and jumping from her chair to greet other friends who passed their table. At everything Rollo said, Stella and Anabelle and Rupie laughed very loud, and Rupie surprised Rollo several times by slapping him sharply on the back, on one occasion causing him to spill several drops of water on the corner of his lace collar. This vexed Rollo very much, and at first he was inclined to be in a pet.
All the while the music was playing gaily, and you may be sure Rollo was enjoying himself thoroughly.
“Would you like to dance?” asked Stella with a merry smile.