“No,” said Annie.
“It is a very pleasant house,” said Rodolphus. “There is a river in front of it, and a pier, and a boat. There is a boat-house, too. There used to be a little girl there, too—just about as big as you.”
“What was her name?” asked Annie.
“Malleville,” replied Rodolphus.
“I have heard about Malleville,” said Annie.
“How did you hear about her?” asked Rodolphus.
“My sister Ellen told me about her,” said Annie.
“We can go and see Ellen,” said Rodolphus, “after we have got the rabbit.”
“Well,” said Annie, “I should like to go and see her very much.”
Rodolphus and Annie had a sister Ellen. She was two years older than Rodolphus. Rodolphus was at this time about ten. Ellen was twelve. Antonio was fourteen. Ellen did not live at home. She lived with her aunt. She went to live with her aunt when she was about eight years old. Her aunt lived in a small farm-house among the mountains, and when Ellen was about eight years old, she was taken sick, and so Ellen went to the house to help take care of her.