At his call, the boy reading on the stairs looked up with a pair of
big brown eyes, and after an instant's pause, as if a little shy, he put
the book under his arm, and came soberly down to greet the
new-comer, who found something very attractive in the pleasant
face of this slender, mild-eyed boy.

"Have you seen Aunt Jo?" he asked, as if that was some sort of
important ceremony.

"I haven't seen anybody yet but you boys; I'm waiting," answered
Nat.

"Did Uncle Laurie send you?" proceeded Demi, politely, but
gravely.

"Mr. Laurence did."

"He is Uncle Laurie; and he always sends nice boys."

Nat looked gratified at the remark, and smiled, in a way that made
his thin face very pleasant. He did not know what to say next, so
the two stood staring at one another in friendly silence, till the
little girl came up with her doll in her arms. She was very like
Demi, only not so tall, and had a rounder, rosier face, and blue
eyes.

"This is my sister, Daisy," announced Demi, as if presenting a rare
and precious creature.

The children nodded to one another; and the little girl's face