Elsie looked inquiringly at her husband.

"Yes, go, wife, if you feel inclined," he said pleasantly. "The children
shall not lose their ride. I will go on to Roselands with them, make a
short call, as I have a little business with your grandfather, then take
them home."

"And we will have their mother there probably shortly after," said Mr.
Dinsmore.

So the exchange was made and the carriages drove on, taking opposite
directions when they came to the cross-road.

Arrived at Roselands, Mr. Travilla found only the younger members of the
family at home, the old gentleman having driven out with his daughters.
Calhoun thought however that they would return shortly, and was
hospitably urgent that the visitors should all come in and rest and
refresh themselves.

The younger cousins joined in the entreaty, and his own children
seeming desirous to accept the invitation, Mr. Travilla permitted them
to do so.

They, with Aunt Chloe and Dinah, were presently carried off to the
nursery by Molly Percival and the Conly girls, while their father walked
into the grounds with Calhoun and Arthur.

"Wal," whispered Dick to his cousin, drawing him aside unnoticed by the
rest, who were wholly taken up with each other, "now's our time for some