Then Dolly was in her brother’s arms, and quickly his hand and Polly Dudley’s met in a cordial grasp, while the eyes of the others were bent on the man who had kept them waiting to welcome him for more than twenty-four hours. The most of these decided that he was good to look at--tall and straight and muscular, with deep blue eyes like Dolly’s, but with hair that was almost black. “What made you wait till to-day?” piped up Dolly. “Why didn’t you come yesterday? Did you hear the story about the ten little girls? Have you just come, or have you ’most just?” “I shall have to confess to hearing nearly all of the ‘Ten Little Girls,’” he answered, throwing an apologetic smile in Polly’s direction. “I didn’t want to interrupt the story. When I could find nobody at the house, voices led me this way.” “Don’t you think the ten-little-girls story is just lovely?” Dolly continued. “Very nice, indeed.” “And wasn’t it foolish for them to be afraid of the sheep?” “It was quite natural,” he replied. “I think I feel very much as they did.” “Afraid!” she cried. “Why, Sardis, there aren’t any sheep here!” Of course, then all the grown-ups laughed. “There are a good many little girls,” he smiled into Dolly’s astonished eyes. “I shouldn’t think you’d be so afraid of little girls as you would of big girls,” she returned. At which they all laughed again. “I don’t think you’re very much afraid,” she decided. “You don’t look a bit scared. But I want to know how you got up here,” she went on. “Did you come in a car? I didn’t hear any.” “There was none to hear. I came on my feet.” “Walked?” cried the child, aghast at the thought. “It was a delightful little journey, up between the pines and the ferns.” “Isn’t it beautiful!” responded Polly, glad of his appreciation. “A wonderful road,” he said. “I would not like to have missed it.” “But riding up with Miss Dudley is lovely,” put in Dolly, “’cause then you can sit back and just enjoy it. Though I should think it would be nice to walk,” she added wistfully. A shadow of pain swept the young man’s face; then he smiled brilliantly. “What an astonishing gain you have made, little girl!” he said. “Haven’t I!” she beamed. “And my cheeks are red!--have you noticed?” He nodded happily. “You and I are under great obligations to Miss Dudley and her wise father.” Dolly wagged her head in no uncertain way, and then laid her cheek against his. “Miss Dudley is the nicest one in all the world,” she said impressively, “except you and Aunt Sophie.” The talk was growing too personal for Polly’s comfort, so with a casual, “The others are waiting to meet you,” she crossed over to Dr. Abbe and the rest. The introductions being done with, the party proceeded back to the house, Sardis Merrifield carrying his sister and wheeling Grissel. On the home veranda Dolly chattered happily. “You haven’t said yet why you didn’t come yesterday,” she reminded him playfully.