"Uncle Mon-ty!" Billy halloed.
"There come those horrid boys," she pouted, sitting up straight. "Why are boys, anyway?"
"You told me once that it was only when they became serious that you worried about them," he teased her.
"They are serious now,—they've found out you're here, and they're going to talk war with you.—I don't want to give you up even for a moment!"
"Nor I you," he whispered, as the boys were close at hand; "but we must keep our secret a little longer."
They rose and walked up the avenue to meet them.
"Mother said to wait because you were tired, but Billy couldn't, so I came with him," Philip explained lamely.
"I am never too tired to receive a welcome like this—"
"We want your advice," Billy interrupted.
"Won't it wait until we get to the house?"