ered Mrs. McGregor. "We'll
fall right in behind this man and woman. Now mind your manners, all of
you. Poor though we are, we can be polite without it costing us a cent.
Timmie, you keep close at my heels with Mary. I've got all I can do to
handle the baby and Nell. Carl, see that you don't squeeze Martin's
hand too tight and get him peevish. Take hold of him gently. And don't
one of you dare to push. We must expect to move along slowly and wait
our turn. Yes, I know it's hot. But there'll be lemonade and ice cream
by and by. I guess you can stand the heat for a little while. What is
it, Tim? Your boots hurt? Nonsense! They're the same boots you always
wear, aren't they? Were you racing round playing ball in them it's
little notice you'd be taking of them, I reckon. Don't be silly and get
sulky now or next time I shall leave you at home."

To an accompaniment of these and similar admonitions the McGregor host
proceeded on its way along with the other guests.

Then at last when the receiving party was well in sight and Mrs.
McGregor and her family were making a decorous approach the anxious
mother was horrified to see Carl, forgetful of all else, rush from the
line and racing up to Mr. John Coulter, seize both his hands.

"Oh!" cried the boy, in a voice so shrill with ecstasy that its accents
penetrated to every corner of the great tent, "Oh, Mr. Coulter, I never
dreamed it was you! Why didn't you tell me who you were? I'm so glad to
see you again! I thought I never would. I've hunted and hunted for you
and your red car ever since."

[Illustration: "I've hunted for you and your red car ever since."
_Page_ 253.]

Plainly Mr. John Coulter, instead of being offended by this unexpected
onslaught, was delighted for he beamed down on the excited lad, shook
both his hands heartily, and laughed so the ring of it echoed all
about.

"So you didn't guess the riddle, little chap," Mrs. McGregor heard him
say. "Well, I didn't mean you should."

"And to think it was you!" Carl was still murmuring, as if in a trance.
"Just to think it was you! Of course you were the one who got Louise
her new place."

"Guilty."

"Gee, but it was white of you! She's right here behind my mother." Then
inspired by sudden understanding he added, "And the Christmas dinners
came from you, too."

"Come, come, youngster, this is no moment to be confronting me with all
my crimes," the blushing bridegroom protested. "Here's Mrs. Coulter
just marrie