“Oh, Maxie! is that so? Oh, how nice!”
“Yes; I wondered if I could do it, and I asked him to tell me exactly how he did it, and if people could learn how if they tried very hard. He said it depended upon practice and dexterity, and explained and showed me as nearly as he could; and I tried, and would go off into the wood yonder, when I could get a chance without anybody noticing, and practice. To-night I thought I’d try it on you, and I’m just delighted that I succeeded so well.”
“Indeed you did!” she exclaimed. “I don’t believe Cousin Ronald himself could have done it any better. Oh, Max, I think it’s ever so nice! what fun we shall have! Try it on papa when he comes home; do! He wouldn’t be vexed; papa enjoys fun just as much as we do, and is never angry, even if the joke is at his expense.”
“No, indeed! and I never had a boy friend that was better company, or even as good, going gunning or fishing, or in a game of base-ball, or anything else.”
“And I never enjoy our parlor games half so much when he doesn’t take part.”
“No; but he always does, unless he’s too busy or has company to entertain. I tell you, Lu, it’s just splendid to have a father you can talk to just as freely as if he was a boy like yourself—tell him all you think and feel, and see that he’s interested, and know that if your thoughts and feelings aren’t right he’ll show you it’s so without being angry or stern, or making you feel that he considers you a simpleton or a fool. I like to be reasoned with as if I had some sense; and that’s the way papa does with me; and sometimes he asks my opinion, as if he thought it was worth something.”
“Yes, I know he does; and mine too, and I’m younger than you, and not nearly so far along in my studies. But, oh, Max, let’s be thinking of the tricks you can play with your ventriloquism. What will you do to-night to astonish papa and Mamma Vi?”
“I don’t know; have you any suggestion to make?”
She had several, and was very eager to see one or more of her plans tried. Max had some of his own too, and they made themselves very merry talking them over.
The sunset glow had faded from the sky, but the moon had risen and was flooding the beautiful grounds with silvery light. Suddenly a mocking-bird in a tree close at hand began to pour forth a perfect flood of melody. The children ceased talking to listen to its song.