“I wonder where the boys are,” remarked Molly, getting out of the hammock and preparing to take command of the tea-tray. “Jerry adores this chocolate cake.” “Here comes one boy, at any rate,” said Stephen. “He doesn’t look very cheerful. Perhaps the heat has used him up.” “It’s Ada’s cousin,” said Molly. “Come up here, Archie, and have some tea. Where are the others?” “Down at the barn, amusing themselves with rabbits,” answered Archie, in a tone of extreme disgust. “I stayed as long as I could stand it. I’ve come to see if Ada isn’t ready to go home.” “You don’t care about pets, then,” said Molly, with difficulty preserving her gravity. “Not much. I think I’m rather too old to waste my time over rabbits. There’s a kid down there, too, and the boys are making such a silly fuss over her. I can’t stand babies.” “That’s my little sister Daisy,” said Molly. “We think she’s quite adorable. I’m sorry you don’t like her.” “I prefer older people,” replied Archie, with his most grown-up air, and then, catching sight of the tea-tray, he added in quite a different tone: “I say that cake looks good. Can a fellow have some?” “To be sure,” laughed Molly. “Come up and meet my friends. This is my cousin Mr. Cranston, and this other young man is Mr. Fairfax. These girls are Geraldine Barlow, Kitty Sharp, and Gretel Schiller. You’ve met Geraldine and Kitty already, but I don’t think you’ve seen Gretel before.” Archie had reached the top of the piazza steps by this time, but at the mention of Gretel’s name, he suddenly drew back and thrust both hands into his pockets. “That’s the German girl,” he announced in his shrill, aggressive voice. “I don’t speak to Germans. Ada told me you had one here, and I said I wouldn’t speak to her.” “You little cad!” exclaimed Stephen, angrily; “you deserve a good thrashing, and I’d like to give it to you!” He half rose from his chair as he spoke, but Gretel put out a detaining hand. “Please don’t make a fuss,” she said in a low voice. “He’s only a little boy, and--and I’m afraid a good many people feel that way about Germans.” “Archie, you are a very naughty boy,” expostulated Ada. “You ought to be ashamed of yourself. If you can’t be a gentleman, you had better go back to the rabbits.” “Well, I like that!” cried Archie, indignantly. “You’re a nice one to scold me, after saying----” “Archie Davenport, stop this very minute. If you say another word I’ll tell Aunt Agnes, and you will be severely punished.” Ada’s cheeks were crimson, and she was looking decidedly uncomfortable. “Don’t mind him, please, Ada,” pleaded Gretel. “It really isn’t worth while to let a boy like that spoil Molly’s tea-party. Let’s give him some cake, and perhaps it will keep him quiet.” Gretel spoke cheerfully, but her voice was not quite steady, and there was a hurt look in her eyes that it pained her friends to see. [Illustration: GRETEL PUT OUT A DETAINING HAND.--_Page 167._]