“Of course I’m a gentleman. I belong to the Mocking Bird family.”
But he was well pleased with the attentions of these young people, for he hopped gravely out and stood on Edward’s finger looking at them critically.
“Darling little Dicky,” exclaimed Virginia. “He’s the very life of this house. I’m sorry you’re not to hear him sing. He makes it a rule never to sing after dark. The dawn is his favorite time.”
Dick gave an apologetic little chirp. He regretted evidently that it was impossible to display his musical powers at this time.
Edward regarded him with the yearning gaze of a father toward his first born.
“You are very fond of him, aren’t you?” asked Billie, noticing the look of pride and affection in the boy’s eyes.
“He adores him,” put in his sister, laughing. “But you had better go now, Edward. Uncle Peter said he would be around with Alexander in a few minutes.”
“Oh, that reminds me, how are you going to get back to Palm Beach?” demanded Miss Campbell.
Edward blushed and looked at his sister, who, although she was the younger, was not so shy.
“He’s going to ride,” she said.