Atherton, I
thank you for promising that!"
"And in return, little Sprite, I'll ask a favor," he said. "Call me
'Uncle John,' just as Rose does, and Polly does the same."
"Oh, I will, I _will_!" she cried. "I've always wanted to."
"You will feel more at home with an uncle so near," he said, gently.
* * * * * * * *
Already the boys and girls of Avondale were talking of the opening of
school. Of all the eager ones, Sprite Seaford was the most excited.
Her mother's careful training had fitted her for a class among girls
of her own age, but she did not know that.
She hoped that she might be in the class with Princess Polly, and Rose,
but wherever her place in school might be, she was eager for the "first
day" to arrive.
One morning Polly and Sprite were on the piazza, before breakfast, and
after pacing up and down for a while, they went down the steps, and
around behind the house to search for Sir Mortimer.
"He's sometimes in under the bushes taking a nap," said Polly, and
they crouched to look under the shrubbery.
Pages:
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73