"Oh, 'Gem' is our protector, you see. Marty and I are alone at night sometimes, when Grandfather's away foresting; you are from the Castle then?"
"We're visiting our Aunt Janice; she gave us a basket of lunch and said we might have a day of exploration."
"Then, we were also to gather greens and wild ferns, for a party that she is giving for us later."
"How nice!" a bright-eyed girl had joined her brother at the door.
She nudged him quickly as a reminder.
"Why don't you ask them in, Jerry?"
The boy smiled—"This is Marty, my sister—and she's wondering if you won't come in—see, 'Gem' is quite friendly now, since he sees that you are also friends!"
Don and Harry stooped to pat the small dog, capering around at their feet.
"Thanks—" they both replied, "but we left Nora, Janey—Beth and Alice, behind; they were waiting for us to make a discovery here."
The small girl clapped her hands impulsively.