"Lulu Bell has asked us over to her house," said Betty; "her aunt is going to tell us stories. You don't mind our going, do you?"
"Oh, no, indeed, only don't tire poor Miss Warren out telling you stories, and if you get home before six, you may take Jack down on the beach for a little while. Dr. Bell wants him to be in the open air as much as possible."
"Mother," said Jack suddenly, as his mother was making him comfortable in the big wicker armchair by the window of their pleasant room on the ground floor, "did you ever see a lord when you were in England?"
"I think I have seen several in my life," said Mrs. Randall, smiling; "why do you want to know?"
"Because one is coming to stay at Lulu Bell's house, and I want to see him very much."
"Lords don't look any different from other people, do they, mother?" questioned Betty.
"Not in the least. I have an uncle who is a lord."
Mrs. Randall spoke rather absently, as though she were thinking of something else, but the astonished exclamations from both children quickly recalled her thoughts.
"You haven't really, have you, mother?" gasped Jack. Betty's eyes grew big and round with astonishment.
"Yes, my father's older brother was a lord, or is one if he is still alive. We never knew him very well, for his place was in a different county, and he and your grandfather were not good friends. I don't want you to mention this to any one, though," she added, flushing; "it would sound like bragging, and you know it is never right to do that."