"Why, indeed, and indeed, it is Dotty; and if here isn't Uncle Edward too!" cried Grace, tossing back her curls, and dancing down the front steps. "Ma, ma, here is Uncle Edward Parlin!"
"I sawed um first! I sawed um first!" screamed little Flyaway, thrusting the point of the umbrella between Dotty's feet, and throwing her over.
"Can I believe my eyes!" said Mrs. Clifford's voice from the head of the stairs; and down she rushed, with open arms, to greet her guests.
Then there was so much kissing, and so much talking, that nobody exactly knew what anybody else said; and Katie added to the confusion by fluttering in and out, and every now and then breaking into a musical laugh, which the mocking-bird, not to be outdone, caught up and echoed. It was a merry, merry meeting.
"You dee papa bringed you—didn't him, Dotty?" said Katie, flying at her cousin with the feather duster, as soon as Grace had taken away the umbrella, and pointing her remarks with the end of the handle.
"You's Uncle Eddard's baby—that's what is it."
"O, you darling Flyaway!" said Dotty, "if you wouldn't stick that handle right into my eyes!"
"I's going to give you sumpin!" returned Katie, putting her hand in her pocket, and producing a very soft orange, which had been used for a football. "It's a ollinge. You can eat um, 'cause I gived um to you."
"Thank you, O, thank you. Flyaway: how glad I am to see you! You look just the same, and no different."
"O, no, I'm is growin' homely," replied the baby, cheerfully, "velly homely; Hollis said so."