"Oh," cried little Elsie, "here come Cousin Ronald and Uncle Horace."
"An unexpected meeting, Captain," Mr. Dinsmore remarked, with a bow and smile as they drew near.
"But none the less pleasant," returned Captain Raymond.
"Very true, sir," said Mr. Lilburn, bowing and smiling in his turn.
"For the captain and you young folks, no doubt, but a trifle less delightful for us who have the load to carry," seemed to come from the mouth of one of the horses as he tossed his head to shake off a fly.
"True enough, Selim. You doubtless envy me with only this gentleman to carry; and I pity you from the bottom of my heart; only that it must be good fun to hear those little folks chatting and laughing," was the answering remark apparently made by the horse ridden by Mr. Lilburn, speaking as they passed the captain's carriage.
Lulu and Grace clapped their hands, laughing merrily, while baby Ned exclaimed, with a look of astonishment, "Me didn't fink horsey could talk like udder folks!"
"Oh, yes! but why did they never do it before?" cried little Elsie. "Papa, did you know they could talk?"
"I never heard them do so before, daughter," the captain said, with an amused smile down into the earnest, surprised little face, "and I suspect that it is only when Cousin Ronald is about that they can."