“Walter’s niece!” laughed Lulu. “He’s younger than I am and would be a little uncle for me.”
“So I would,” laughed Walter in turn, “but if your father is my brother I suppose you must be my niece, and you’d better mind what I say to you.”
“I will—when it suits me,” she replied in merry retort.
They were now nearing that part of the lawn where they had left the older members of the party and the little ones.
“Ah, I am glad to see you,” said Zoe, coming forward to meet them, “for it is nearly time for the summons to tea.”
“Yes; we hope we have not kept you waiting?” returned several voices.
“Oh, no,” she replied cheerily, “you are just in good season. I heard your father inquiring where you were only a moment since, Lulu.”
“Oh, did you, Aunt Zoe? Well, I’ll tell him,” replied Lulu, hurrying away in his direction, for she could see him seated under a tree at some little distance, with Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, Grandma Elsie, Mamma Vi, and several others. Lulu stole up behind him, put her arms round his neck, and laid her cheek to his.
“Ah!” he said, taking hold of the small white hands, drawing her around in front of him, and seating her on his knee, “where has this eldest daughter of mine been for the last hour or so?”