conjectures uttered in their hearing,
as to what the coming cousin was apt to be like, and repeated them to
that same person.

He came one evening, a tall pale youth, with very black eyes, quiet
gentlemanly manners, and a faint suspicion of a mustache, and Kat
instantly declared that she didn't like him.

"I told you he'd be solemn, and look like a preacher. I bet he's got
consumption too, and I suppose he'll call me Kathleen and ask me if I'm
prepared to die?" she exclaimed, after they had met him and he had gone
to his room.

"I think he's very polite and nice," said Bea.

"He looks very intelligent," added Olive, with a pleasing idea in her
mind, of having some one with whom she could discuss her books, and
study Latin.

"Some fun in him I know," laughed Kittie. "And what nice manners he has,
and black eyes, I wonder if he appreciates them?"

"Poor fellow, just hear him cough," exclaimed Bea in sympathy. "Girls,
what have you nice for supper?"

"Slap-jacks," answered Kat grimly. "I hope he'll enjoy them."

"O Kat, you surely have something else besides cakes," cried Bea in
dismay. "It'll never do, he's used to everything nice."

"Suppose he is, we're not, and he mustn't expect it here."

"Dear me," explained Bea, starting for the kitchen; but Kittie
interrupted her, with the consoling remark:

"It's all right, I made a nice pudding with sugar sauce, and there is
cold meat and hot biscuit, that's enough, mama said so."

"I bet you he'll sit and mope in his room, and cry for his mama, dear
little boy, I'll give him a sugar horn," laughed Kat, then caught her
breath suddenly, and flushed scarlet, for there in the door stood the
new cousin, also rather flushed, but with his eyes twinkling, and his
arms full of things.

"Thank you, Cousin Kathleen," he said gravely; "I really hadn't thought
of crying, but your promise is tempting, I'll begin in a few moments. In
the meantime, here are some messages that mother sent with her love. She
selected for each, as she remembered you, and I hope that none of you
have so changed in tastes, that these little things will be out of
keeping."

His genial tone, and winning smile were very taking, and made every one
feel acquainted at once, so Bea pushed an easy chair forward, saying
with a smile:

"We'll try hard to be grateful, Cousin Ralph. Come, take this easy chair
and deliver your messages, you see we're anxious."

He did so, holding up a splendid copy of Dante