I think he went for me."

"It would be just like Uncle John to do that," Rose said. "He's always
doing something to make people happy."

As if to prove that his little niece spoke truly, he now appeared on
the road in his big motor car, laughing when he espied the three
playmates, and gaily calling:

"Has anyone seen a small girl straying around this part of Avondale?
Girl with brown curls, and rosy cheeks, answers to the name of Rose?"

"You needn't laugh, Uncle John, for truly I was afraid Great Aunt Rose
would try to make you say that I must spend, at least, a part of my
time with her, and oh, I didn't want to."

"Do I look as if anyone could _make_ me give up what I considered
mine?"

"No, _no_!" they cried in chorus.

"Then climb into my car, you three little tramps, and I'll take you
for a ride."




CHAPTER XII

AUNT ROSE'S CALL