"No, sir, she and papa have gone out riding," replied Eddie, returning the bow and smile.
Elsie laid aside her doll and stepping forward, said with a graceful little courtesy, "Good morning, sir, will you dismount and come in? Papa and mamma will probably be here in a few minutes."
"Ah, ha! um h'm; ah ha! Yes, my little lady, I will do so, thank you," returned the gentleman, giving his horse into the care of a servant, summoned by Eddie.
"Will you walk into the drawing-room sir?" Elsie asked.
"No, thank you," he replied seating himself among them, and sending a glance of keen interest from one to another.
One look into the pleasant, genial face, banished Harold's fears, and when the stranger held out his hand, saying, "I am your mamma's cousin, won't you come and sit on my knee?" the child went to him at once; while the others gathered eagerly about.
"Mamma's cousin! then she will be very glad to see you," said Elsie.
"But she never told us about you," observed Eddie.
"Ah ha, ah ha! um h'm! ah ha! But did she ever tell you about any of her mother's kin?"
"No, sir," said Elsie, "I asked her once, and she said she didn't know anything about them; she wished she did."