“Well, I can stamp it down again.” “I’ve been choosing my room,” answered Grif. “What room?” With the handle of his mallet passed under his armpit and projecting well above his shoulder――for it was nearly as tall as himself――Jim took aim at a ball. “Shaved it! Shaved it!” Ann was indignant. “No you didn’t, Jim; you never touched it.” “I did. I shaved it.” “You can’t see it from here,” Grif went on. “And there’s a swallow’s nest under the window-sill.” “I don’t know what you’re talking about. That’s our room up there, just over the porch. It’s yours and mine, and Edward’s when he comes.... Clear out of the light.... Oh, rotten luck! My mallet turned!... I’ve bagged the bed near the window.” “You can bag as many beds as you like. I’m going to have a room to myself.” “But why?” “I’m going to have Pouncer with me.... Who brought out the croquet-things?” “We brought them out ourselves.” “Why aren’t you playing properly, then?” “Because Barbara said she’d go first, after Ann and I had bagged the blue and red balls. She’s yellow, and yellow has to play last.” “I called out ‘first’ before you ever got the balls,” said Barbara, loftily. “So nobody could be first,” Jim went on, “and we all had to play together.” “Little silly!” Barbara threw down her mallet and walked away. “Aunt Caroline says we’re to be good till dinner-time,” said Ann, meekly. “And we’re not to go to the kitchen, because Hannah and Bridget are busy.” “Who wants to go to the kitchen?” “I’m afraid _I_ do,” sighed truthful Ann. “Hannah’s going to let Barbara and me make shortbread the first wet day.” “I say; let’s play a proper game now there’s four of us,” Jim proposed. “Grif and me’ll play you two.” But at that moment Aunt Caroline, waving a letter in her hand, came from the house. “Do you know what’s happened?” she cried. “You’ll never guess!” “I’ve guessed already,” murmured Jim, modestly. Aunt Caroline shook her letter at him. “What have you guessed? I’ve a good mind not to tell you.” “Edward’s coming to-day instead of next month.” Aunt Caroline was somewhat taken aback. “Nonsense! How did you know? What’s the use of my trying to give you surprises?” “The surprise was a very good one,” Jim hastened to console her. “All the others are surprised. I only guessed because I’m good at riddles. I’m making one up at this moment.” “Well, that’s what it is anyway. And grandpapa knew all about it this morning, and thought he had told me. What do you say to that?” “It wasn’t very clever,” Ann admitted. “It certainly wasn’t. Can you guess _why_ he is coming?” she laughed, turning again to Jim. The little boy hesitated. “I’d rather not, Aunt Caroline.” “What does that mean, I wonder? I’m afraid you’re a humbug.” Jim paused. “It would be better for you to surprise us, I think.”