Presently, after she had gone upstairs, Sardis Merrifield came across from the Study, and taking a book from his pocket began to read. Little Duke had been humming to himself in a loud, disagreeable way, and now, he opened his mouth and uttered a series of unintelligible sounds. The young man looked over to the chair with its face to the wall. “Not quite so much noise, please!” His voice was kind. The clamor went on. “Little boy, did you hear what I said?” “Yep!” And the shouts continued. The children sat breathless, open-mouthed and wide-eyed. “Will you stop that screaming?” the man said quietly. “Did Mi’ Duddy say My must stop?” piped the little offender. “No, but I say so,” was the firm answer. “Does My have to mind you, too?” “Surely you do.” Dolly snickered noiselessly into her hand; but not a sound came from Little Duke. Upstairs Polly had heard and had hastened her dressing, standing poised at the head of the stairs when the last of the conversation floated up to her. She waited a moment. The veranda was hushed, and with a smile she returned to her room. She was not needed to keep the peace as long as Sardis Merrifield was there. The White Nurse and Lilith had had more than one battle with strong-willed Little Duke when it had been needful to summon Polly before the lovable little rogue could be subdued. When the party assembled on the veranda Polly noticed that the boy’s chair had been wheeled about, and as she glanced that way he spoke. “Mi’ Duddy, My thought you could take a joke.” “So I can, Little Duke. Good-bye and a happy day to you!” He grinned gleefully, and she explained to Sardis Merrifield as they drove away, “That is his apology. He never fails to have it ready on time.” Not far from noon they arrived at the pleasure ground. “Oh, dear!” cried the little girl, “the ducks are not any of them here!” “They are up at the other end of the lake.” Polly pointed across the water. “But that isn’t here,” mourned the child. “If they won’t come to us, we shall have to go to them,” her brother replied. “They will be here soon enough,” laughed Lilith. Yet Dolly saw no hope; her longing eyes were fastened upon those far-away birds. As time was precious and the long ride had made them hungry, Polly proposed luncheon at once, and selecting a pleasant spot they arranged seats and began to take out sandwiches. Dolly was so interested in the preparations that for the moment ducks were forgotten. “Look!” bade Sardis. “See that big V!” “Oh!” exulted Dolly, “it’s a duck--and he’s coming this way!” She watched the rippling V, and then said softly, as if half afraid to utter so beautiful a thought, “Do you s’pose he saw me and--knows me?” “He saw you, no doubt; but recognition would hardly be possible at that distance, would it?” Dolly sighed a little. “No, of course, he couldn’t,” she answered. Then she chuckled joyously. “He’s steering straight for me!”