"Any little chap like you, perhaps," remarked the strange voice from the distant corner.
"Pooh! I'm not so very little now," returned Ned.
"Not too little to talk a good deal," laughed Grandpa Dinsmore.
"This is a lovely morning," remarked Dr. Harold, "the roads are in fine condition too, and I think the distance to Torriswood is not too great to make a very pleasant walk for those of us who are young and strong."
"And there are riding horses and conveyances in plenty for any who prefer to use them," added his mother.
Evelyn, Lucilla, and Max all expressed their desire to try the walk, and Grace said, "I should like to try it too;" but both her father and Dr. Harold put a veto upon that, saying she was not strong enough, so must be content to ride.
"Cousin Ronald and brother Max, can't we have some fun there to-day, as well as at the wedding time?" said Ned in his most coaxing tones.
"Possibly, bit laddie," returned the old gentleman pleasantly. "If I am not too auld, your good brother is no' too young."
"But you are the more expert of the two, sir," said Max; "and perhaps it may be the better plan for us both to take part."
"Ah, well, we'll see when the time comes," responded the old gentleman. "I like well to please the bit laddie, if it can be done without vexing or disturbing anybody else."