"Yes; you certainly belong to the universal Yankee nation; as did your ancestors for several generations. Both mine and your mother's were here long before the Revolution."
"A fact which I think is something to rejoice over," she said in joyous tones.
"Therefore something to be thankful for," he said in a tone between assertion and inquiry.
"Oh, yes, sir; yes, indeed! I am very glad and thankful that you are my father and I am your child."
"And I that you are my own dearly loved daughter," he said in response.
"Ah," as a turn in the walk brought the house into full view, "I see we are no longer the only ones up and about"—for nearly all the guests were now gathered upon the porch or wandering to and fro under the trees or among the flower beds near at hand.
"Oh, yonder come papa and Lu!" shouted Ned at the same moment, starting on a run toward them, quickly followed by his cousins, the Leland boys.
"Good-morning, papa and Lu," "Good-morning, uncle and Lu," cried the three as they drew near. Eric adding: "Have you been down by the river? and is there a walk along down by the waters edge?"
"In some places," his uncle answered, "but you can go down and see for yourselves after breakfast."
"Oh, yes; I presume we can get permission; especially if papa or you will go with us, Uncle Levis."