“Not very. Come on. Mother sees us,” said Nicky. He was very busy with his social duties, and seemed a little excited.
But a few minutes later all three strangers were in front of the camp. The old grandmother, recognizing Barbara, was busy getting them boxes to sit on, and she appeared pleased to receive the visitors. Little Vicky instantly ran over to Cara and grabbed her hand. Perhaps she was remembering the ice-cream so bountifully served her at Cara’s party.
Barbara, considering herself spokesman for the delegation, had stepped up nearer the tent, when some one crossed before the open space inside the canvas.
Her heart jumped! Who could that be? It was a man, or a big boy! Could he be Nicky’s father?
The shadow appeared again, and this time it stopped directly in the center of the door way.
“Oh,” gasped Babs. “I didn’t know——”
But she could not utter another syllable, for there stood before her a young Italian, a young man or at least a full-grown boy. He was handsome, that should be said at once, for Barbara had instantly decided the point, and he was wearing a blouse of brilliant blue, and a tam-o’-shanter hat of black velvet. So picturesque!
More important than all this, he was holding in his hand an unfinished wooden ship model!
“Oh!” gasped Babs again. “I beg your pardon.”
“It is all right,” replied the young man in splendid English. “We must get Nickolas to introduce us. I hope your friends will come up to our poor quarters.” He put the model down carefully and looked about for Nicky.