friend. The Squire's little
scheme was frustrated. His niece, without asking advice or permission
from anybody, placed Miss Graves beside the driver, and established
herself on the same seat, leaving Marjorie between the two gentlemen on
the one behind, after they had bestowed their valises and Miss Graves'
portmanteau in their rear. Beyond a ceremonious handshake, Miss
Carmichael gave Coristine no recognition, although she could not have
failed to perceive his delight at once more meeting her. To Miss Graves,
however, she was all that could be desired, cheerful, even animated, and
full of pleasant conversation. Marjorie kept her Eugene and the new
gentleman busy. She reported on the creek, and presented her faded
bouquet of wild flowers, which Eugene received with all the semblance of
lively satisfaction. She made many enquiries regarding the big girl in
front, and insisted especially on knowing if she was nice. Then she
turned to Mr. Douglas and asked his name.

"My name is Douglas," he answered.

"Oh, I know that, even Timotheus himself knows that. I mean what's your
real name, your very own, the name your mamma calls you?"

"She used to call me James."

"Oh; have you got a brother called John?"

"Yes; how did you know that?"

"Oh, I know. Then your papa's name is Zebedee, and your mamma's is
Salome."

"No, we are not those two James and Johns; they are dead."

"They are the only James and John I know."

"I don't think so. Your uncle, Dr. Carmichael, was called James Douglas,
like me."

"Marjorie's dead papa?"

"Yes; your cousin is a sort of far-away cousin of mine; so you must be
one of my cousins, too. What do you think of that?"

"I think it's nice to have a growed-up man cousin. I'll call you Jim."

"Marjorie!" said a reproving voice from the front seat; "you must not
talk to Mr. Douglas in that pert way."

"If my cousin lets me call him Jim, it's none of your business, cousin
Marjorie. You will let me, won't you, cousin Jim?"

"To be sure, if Miss Carmichael will allow me."

"I don't think it's fair to let her boss the whole show."

Mr. Douglas laughed loud and long over this expression, so novel to his
British ears.

"Where did you learn that, Marjorie?" asked Coristine.

"Oh, from Guff; there's heaps of fun in Guff."

Her companions occasionally took advantage of silent intervals to
discuss the scenery, and the Canadian lawyer pointed out spots,
memorable in the great pedestrian tour