"Yes," said the Lion, "I will; good-night."
CHAPTER IV
PREPARING FOR A VISITOR
Upon the third day after bidding good-bye to their strange friend, the children felt they had every reason to be excited as to what events the day would bring forth, to say nothing of endless speculations as to the manner in which their most uncommon visitor might choose to appear to them.
Consequently after Ridgwell had opened his birthday presents the first thing in the morning, he held a sort of council of war with Christine.
"You see, Chris, fortunately the house hasn't any underneath part," explained Ridgwell, "so that we can keep watch, both of us, all on one floor so to speak. You take guard of the French windows in the drawing-room where you can see the greater part of the garden, and I will watch the windows of the dining-room, where I can see the road both ways up to the house."
"Shan't we get tired of always looking at the same spot?" objected
Christine.
"I have thought of a plan for that, Chris. When either of us want a change, just shout out, 'Sister Ann, sister Ann, do you see anybody coming?'"
"I see," nodded Christine, "everybody will only think we are playing a game."
"Then," pursued Ridgwell, full of inspiration, "if Lal isn't looming in sight anywhere, the other will shout out, 'Not a sail in the offing,' then we change over rooms."