A young friend of Uncle John's arrived a bit late, and surely his
costume was the most unusual of any of the guests. Captain Atherton
had seen the little suit in an antique shop in England. He had purchased
it, believing that some such occasion as the present might occur, when
the droll coat and trousers, the little waistcoat, and the comical cap
would be just the thing for a slender lad to wear. Walter Langdon was
indeed a quaint figure, as, with Captain Atherton, he went forward to
greet Aunt Judith, and be introduced to the other guests.

His coat, a funny little "swallow tail," was of yellow green, his
trousers matched it, his waistcoat, or vest, was striped, lilac and
white, and his cap, green like the suit, had a long tassel hanging
down on one side. His fair hair, in a soft bang, showed below the edge
of his cap, and his eyes, wide open and merry, appeared to be just
ready for a gay laugh.

He knew that he looked absolutely comical, and he thought it great fun
to appear at the party in a costume that provoked laughter. He proved
to be a bright, cheery boy, full of fun, and wit, and soon the other
boys and girls felt as if they had always known him.

Uncle John wore a costume that had belonged to his great, great uncle,
and he looked very handsome in it. He made them all laugh by saying
that he wished that his ancestor had been just a wee bit larger, because
then the suit would have been somewhat easier, instead of such a _close
fit_.

But while he seemed pleased with all of his new friends, it was Rose
Atherton whom Walter liked best of all.