ing from her gray eyes, and Mr.
Bryant, a tall, dark-haired man, was no less enthusiastic in his
greetings.

"Hello, Ed," he cried. "Mighty glad to see you here! Hope we can give you
a good time! I know we can make it pleasant for you grownups, but it's
the kiddies I'm thinking about. I told Ethel she must just devote herself
to their entertainment all the time they're here. She's laid in a lot of
playthings for them, and they must just consider that the house is their
own, and they can do whatever they like from attic to cellar! How many?
Four? That's what I thought. I don't know their names, but I'll learn
them later. Here, jump up, Peter, Susan, Mehitabel,--or whatever your
names are,--and let me see how you look!"

As jovial Mr. Bryant had been talking, he had lifted the children from
the car. He paid little attention to them individually, seeming to think
they were mere infants.

Mrs. Bryant was chatting away at the same time. "Is this Marjorie?"
she said. "My, what a big girl! When I last saw her she was only six
or seven. And Kingdon,--almost a young man, I declare! Kitty, I
remember,--but this little chunk of sweetness I never saw before!"

She picked up Rosy Posy in her arms, and the little one smiled and patted
her cheek, for Mrs. Bryant had a taking way with children, and they
always loved her.

Marjorie couldn't help thinking what a contrast this greeting was to
their reception at Grandma Maynard's, but she also realized that the
Bryants were much younger people, and apparently were very fond of
children.

Altogether, it was a most satisfactory welcome, and the Maynards trooped
into the house, with that comfortable feeling always bestowed by a warm
reception.

"Now, I'll take you girlies upstairs," Mrs. Bryant chatted on, taking
Marjorie and Kitty each by a hand; "and I'll brush your hair and wash
your paddies, and fix you up all nice for supper."

Marjorie couldn't help laughing at this.

"Don't let us make you too much trouble, Mrs. Bryant," she said. "You
know we're quite big girls, and we tie each other's ribbons."

"Bless me! Is that so? But you musn't call me Mrs. Bryant! I'm Cousin
Ethel, and Mr. Bryant is Cousin Jack, and if you call us anything more
formal than that, we'll feel terribly offended!"

And then Cousin Ethel bustled away to look after her other guests,
leaving Midget and Kitty to take care of themselves.

She had given them a delightful room, large and sunshiny, with a sor