"Come over to-night," Patty called back to him, as they left him behind; and though his answer was lost in the distance, she had little doubt as to its tenor. "What a nice young fellow!" said Nan. "Who is he?" "He's the nephew of our next-door neighbour," said Patty; "and he's spending his vacation with his aunt." "He's a jolly all-round chap," said Bob. "Yes, he's just that," said Patty. "I thought you'd like him. You'll like all the young people here. They're an awfully nice crowd." "I'm so glad to see _you_ again," said Bumble, "I don't care whether I like the other young people or not. And I want to see Uncle Fred, too. I haven't seen him for years and years." "Oh, he's one of the young people," said Patty, laughing; "he goes 'most everywhere with us. I tell him he's more of a boy than Ken." As they drove up to the house, Bumble exclaimed with delight at the beautiful flowers and the well-kept appearance of the whole place. "What a lovely home!" she cried. "I don't see how you ever put up with our tumble-down old place, Patty." "Nonsense!" said Patty. "I had the time of my life down at the Hurly-Burly last summer." "Well, we're going to have the time of our life at Boxley Hall this summer, I feel sure of that," said Bob, as he sprang out of the carriage and then helped the others out. "I hope you will," said Patty. "You are very welcome to Boxley Hall, and I want you just to look upon it as your home and conduct yourselves accordingly." "Nan can do that," said Bumble, "but I'm afraid, if Bob and I did it, your beautiful home would soon lose its present spick-and-span effect." "All right, let it lose," said Patty. "We'll have a good time anyhow. And now," she went on, as she took the guests to their rooms, "there'll be just about an hour before dinner time but if you get ready before that come down. You'll probably find me on the front veranda, if I'm not in the kitchen." Bob was the first one to reappear, and he found Patty and her father chatting on the front veranda. "How do you do, Uncle Fred?" he said. "You may know my name, but I doubt if you remember my features." "Hello, Bob, my boy," said Mr. Fairfield, cordially grasping the hand held out to him. "As I last saw you with features of infantile vacancy, I am glad to start fresh and make your acquaintance all over again." "Thank you, sir," said Bob, as he seated himself on the veranda railing. "I didn't know you as an infant, but I dare say you were a very attractive one." "I think I was," said Mr. Fairfield; "at least I remember hearing my mother say so, and surely she ought to know." Just then Bumble came out on the porch with her hair-ribbon in her hand. "Please tie this for me, Patty," she said. "I cannot manage it myself, and get it on quick before Uncle Fred sees me." "But I am so glad to see you, my dear Bumble," said Mr. Fairfield, "that even that piece of pretty blue ribbon can't make me any gladder."