"'We claim the eastern part of North America.'
"Years after the time of John Cabot they sent people to settle here. They spoke our language and planted English ways and English thoughts with their corn and potatoes."
Uncle Sam laughed as he added, "Maybe you and I would have been Spaniards if it had not been for John Cabot. I wonder how you would have liked that, Joe. I know you are not too fond of your Spanish cousins."
"Cousins! Ugh! I don't like to think of their being relations of mine."
"My dear boy, this world isn't so very large after all, and one great Father loves us and cares for all. Of course, we think America could teach Spain one or two things, but I don't doubt she could help us in some ways, too. No one is perfect, Joe, or else we shouldn't need to live in this world. Come, children, give me a kiss and run off to your little beds."
"Good-night, sleep tight, and don't let the mosquitos bite," Lucy called to her old friend as she followed Joe down the path.
CHAPTER IV
THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
A finer day could not have been chosen for the picnic. When the party started for the pine grove four miles from home there were six carriages full of people. It was a lovely place for a picnic party and Joe and Lucy played hard all day with their little friends. Six o'clock came all too soon.