"Why do you want to go to mama?" she asked. "Where is mama?"
"Oh, far away, and she cannot get back till the Royal comes in. Her boat is Royal too," he said proudly.
"And who takes care of you?" pressed Grace, keeping in mind the prospect of almost any interruptions spoiling this valued confidence.
"Kitty-dear does. There is Hannah, of course, but I don't like her, and I do like Kitty-dear," he said, with a brave echo in his childish voice.
"And where do you live? Where is your house?" Cleo was peering through the trees, but could see no sign of anything like a dwelling.
"Oh, I haven't any house; I must live outdoors. Dr. Grant ordered it, and I must roll in the mud. But I get tired rolling, and there isn't any real mud here, except what Kitty-dear fetches in the boat. Then we make mud pies, and that's fun. But you are going to take me for a boat ride now, aren't you? I have wanted one for such a long time." His voice was wistful, and his blue eyes were fastened on the boat, that through the trees could be seen, rocking on the water's edge, where Tommie waited.
"Where is Kitty?" asked Cleo without answering the appeal for a long delayed boat ride.
"She's busy with Uncle Pete," replied Royal. "Hannah wants lots of things done when she comes, but sometimes she gives Kitty-dear money, then we have cookies, but we never dare tell Hannah, 'cause I'm not allowed cookies," he said with a cute twist of his yellow head. "But you are the fairies who took my letters, aren't you? I knew when they were gone from their letter boxes on the birch trees, that I would surely get an answer! And see, I was right!"
"I think I hear Kitty coming," said Grace. "Yes, here she is."
"Well, I never," called Kitty gleefully. "Look who blew in!"