"Yes," said Rosanna. "I have the manual here."
"The best thing is for you to read it and then I will explain anything to you that you do not understand. We do have such good times!"
She smiled delightfully at Rosanna and at Uncle Robert, who looked really cheered up and happy and showed no signs at all of leaving the room. Rosanna wouldn't have minded if he had. She wanted a chance to talk alone with this fairy-like creature in those ridiculously grown-up clothes.
Miss Marjorie Hooker made it quite clear that she had not come to call on Uncle Robert. She had come to see Rosanna. She made it so clear that presently Uncle Robert, who did not want to go at all, spoke of a forgotten engagement and said good-by. When he bent to kiss Rosanna, he whispered, "I don't mind being roped at all, Rosanna!" but Rosanna did not understand.
After he had gone, the fairy in the big chair seemed to grow less timid.
"I just think it is fine that you are going to be one of us," she said, dimpling delightfully. "We do have the best times! Last summer we went camping on our farm out toward Anchorage. We were in a grove back of the house, and if you didn't have to go down to the house for the newspapers and milk and things, you could imagine that we were miles from everyone. Can you swim?"
"No," answered Rosanna, "but I mean to learn."
"Oh, you must!" said Miss Hooker. "Everyone should know how."
"Of course," agreed Rosanna. "And a great many people do know how, so I suppose I will be able to learn. It seems very hard."
"Not a bit of it!" trilled Miss Hooker. "I have several medals for long distance swimming myself, and I taught myself when I was just a little girl."