"I'm fifteen," she said. "And you ought to see me in my long
dress, father."

"We must not be separated any longer, dear heart," I heard Uncle
Blair say tenderly. I hoped that he meant he would stay in
Canada--not that he would take the Story Girl away.

Apart from this we had a gay day with Uncle Blair. He evidently
liked our society better than that of the grown-ups, for he was a
child himself at heart, gay, irresponsible, always acting on the
impulse of the moment. We all found him a delightful companion.
There was no school that day, as Mr. Perkins was absent, attending
a meeting of the Teachers' Convention, so we spent most of its
golden hours in the orchard with Uncle Blair, listening to his
fascinating accounts of foreign wanderings. He also drew all our
pictures for us, and this was especially delightful, for the day
of the camera was only just dawning and none of us had ever had
even our photographs taken. Sara Ray's pleasure was, as usual,
quite spoiled by wondering what her mother would say of it, for
Mrs. Ray had, so it appeared, some very peculiar prejudices
against the taking or making of any kind of picture whatsoever,
owing to an exceedingly strict interpretation of the second
commandment. Dan suggested that she need not tell her mother
anything about it; but Sara shook her head.

"I'll have to tell her. I've made it a rule to tell ma everything
I do ever since the Judgment Day."

"Besides," added Cecily seriously, "the Family Guide says one