ere she is! That pretty girl that
danced. See, at the next table but two. Yes, it _is_ the same one!"
"Sure it is," agreed King. "She's staying here. Perhaps we can get
acquainted with her, Mops."
"Could we, Mother? Would it be right?"
"We'll see about it," said Mrs. Maynard, smiling at her impulsive
daughter. After breakfast the Maynard party walked out on the veranda,
and Midget soon saw the little girl, in a big rocking chair not far
away.
"May I go over and speak to her, Mother?" she said.
"Why, yes, Midget, if you like. She looks like a nice child. Run along."
So Midget went over and took the next rocking chair, for there were many
chairs, ranged in long rows.
"I came over to talk to you," she said; "I saw you dance last night, and
I think you do dance lovely."
"Do you?" said the little girl. She seemed diffident, but pleased at
Marjorie's words. "You see, it was a Children's Carnival, and Mamma let
me dance. I never danced in a place like that before, and I was a little
scared at first."
"You didn't look scared. You just looked lovely. What's your name?
Mine's Marjorie Maynard. I live in Rockwell, when I'm home."
"Mine's Ruth Rowland, and I live in Philadelphia, when I'm home. But
we're spending the summer in Seacote. We just came down here for a
week."
"In Seacote! Why, that's where we're spending the summer. We have a
house on Fairway Avenue."
"Oh, I know that house. I remember seeing you there when I've passed by.
Isn't it funny that we should happen to meet here! We live farther down,
past the pier, you know."
"Yes, I know. Will you come to see me after we both get back there?"
"Yes, indeed I will. When are you going back?"
"To-morrow, I think. When are you?"
"In a few days. Do you know Cicely Ross?"
"No, I don't know very many children in Seacote. Do you know the Craig
boys?"
"No. I guess we don't know the same people. But I know Hester Corey, and
you do, too, 'cause I've seen her playing in your yard."
"Oh, yes, Hester plays with us a lot."
"She's a funny girl, isn't she?"
"Well, she's nice sometimes, and sometimes she isn't. Here's my brother
King. King, this is Ruth Rowland, and what do you think? She lives in
Seacote! I mean, for the summer she's staying there."
"Good!" cried King. "We can play together then, after we go back."
The three children rapidly became good friends, and soon Ruth proposed
that they all go for a ride in a roller chair.
"They
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