"Of course you have not yet heard from your friends, the Crolys?" Lulu
said inquiringly.

"No; there has not been time; unless they had telegraphed; as, perhaps,
they may, to Cousin Arthur. Speak of angels! here he comes!" she
exclaimed, as, at that moment, a gig turned in at the great gates and
came on rapidly toward the house.

Dr. Arthur Conly was in it, and, presently, having reached the veranda
steps, drew rein, bade good-evening, and announced to his cousins Elsie
and Rosie that he had received a telegram from the Crolys thanking him
for his invitation and saying that it was accepted and they might be
expected in a few days.

"Ah! that is good news, if it suits you all at Roselands," said Grandma
Elsie.

"As I think it does, cousin," returned the doctor. "At all events they
all seemed pleased; which I think is particularly kind in Sister Mary
and Cal."

"Yes," said Rosie, "and I hope and believe the Crolys will prove so
agreeable as guests, or boarders, that they will never regret it."

"So do I," Arthur said; "also I think that the Crolys will find us all
so agreeable that they will never regret it."

"Won't you alight and take a seat among us, doctor?" asked the captain
hospitably.