pale, gray-eyed little Sara Ray, we were boon companions. We
went to school, of course; and certain home chores were assigned
to each of us for the faithful performance of which we were held
responsible. But we had long hours for play. Even Peter had
plenty of spare time when the planting was over.

We got along very well with each other in the main, in spite of
some minor differences of opinion. As for the grown-up denizens
of our small world, they suited us also.

We adored Aunt Olivia; she was pretty and merry and kind; and,
above all, she had mastered to perfection the rare art of letting
children alone. If we kept ourselves tolerably clean, and
refrained from quarrelling or talking slang, Aunt Olivia did not
worry us. Aunt Janet, on the contrary, gave us so much good
advice and was so constantly telling us to do this or not to do
the other thing, that we could not remember half her
instructions, and did not try.

Uncle Roger was, as we had been informed, quite jolly and fond of
teasing. We liked him; but we had an uncomfortable feeling that
the meaning of his remarks was not always that which met the ear.
Sometimes we believed Uncle Roger was making fun of us, and the
deadly seriousness of youth in us resented that.

The Uncle Alec we gave our warmest love. We felt that we always
had a friend at court in Uncle Alec, no matter what we did or
left undone. And we never had to turn HIS speeches inside out to
discover their meaning.