"Yes, yes, my boy!"
Others were out basking in the warm sun that afternoon. Those that walked leisurely and took notice of events about them, were impressed by the affectionate behavior of the two men. Lucy Strong was herself out. She was curious to know what had become of Chester and her father, besides, the sun was inviting. She soon found them, herself undiscovered. She paused, examined the flower beds, and became interested in the swans in the lake. Her face beamed with happiness when she saw them, for their shoulders were close together and Chester had her father's hands clasped firmly in his own. She tiptoed up behind them on the grass, then slipped her hands over each of their eyes.
"Guess," she laughed.
"A fairy princess," said Chester.
"Mother Goose," responded the father.
They moved apart and let her sit between them.
"The rose between," suggested Chester.
"The tie that binds," corrected the girl, placing an arm about each of them.
Then they all laughed so merrily, that the infection reached a ragged urchin playing on the gravel-path near by.
"My dear," said the father. "Chester has promised to stay with us, and be—"