"Yes; that is indeed a cause for joy and gratitude," said Keith.
"Father, will Mr. Croly be any relation to us after he gets married to Aunt Rosie?" queried Ned.
"Yes, my son; brother to your mamma and me, and uncle to the rest of you."
"Meaning Neddie himself and Elsie, papa?" Grace said half interrogatively and with an amused little laugh.
"Ah, yes! he is certainly too young to be, or wish to be, that to my older daughters," returned her father with a look of amusement.
"No danger that he will want to claim that relationship, Gracie," laughed Lucilla. "Even Walter does not, though I know you are a particular favourite with him; but he, to be sure, is still younger than Mr. Croly by some years."
"It is at two o'clock Aunt Rosie is to be married, then there will be the wedding feast, and after that the bride and groom will go on a journey," said Neddie, as if bestowing a piece of valuable information upon his hearers.
"Yes," said Elsie, "but, as everybody knows it, what's the use of telling it?"
"I thought perhaps Cousin Donald and Cousin Dick didn't know it—at least, not all of it," said Ned.
Then his father told him he had talked quite enough, and must be quiet during the rest of the meal.