Page:Stanwood Pier--The ancient grudge.djvu/133

122 ment. "You don't know," he said to her, "how good it is to hear from that part of the world again."

When they returned to the house, the afternoon light was growing dim; Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar were just coming out for a romp with two small cousins of Lydia's who had arrived a few minutes before, "Who's going to play 'Follow my Leader'?" cried Mr. Dunbar, and the small visitors screamed with delight when Lydia said, "Why, all of us, of course." "They think Papa and Mamma are the most enchanting things," she explained to Floyd; "they wear themselves to a gasp running round with them." The game took place behind the house, where the lawn sloped away from the street, and there was no danger of shocking passers-by. "Now, you must fall in line and all do as I do," said Mr. Dunbar. "Lydia first and then Laurie and then Aunt Elinor and then Teddy and last of all Mr. Halket."

"Indeed," cried Mrs. Dunbar, laughing, "you don't get me into this game."

"Oh, but you always play. Aunt Elinor," exclaimed Teddy; and Mr. Dunbar said, "Why, of course; Floyd won't be shocked, will you, Floyd? Fall in line, now; all ready? We're off—sneaking Indians."

And he led them, all crouching and taking long slow strides; they circled twice round a bench, three times round a tree, and then trailed about the lawn, ejaculating "Hist!" with every two steps, because that was what the leader was doing. Floyd, from his position at the end of the line had a view of the procession as it swung and turned; Mr. Dunbar, Lydia, her mother, and the two little boys were all doing their part with the utmost seriousness. "Hop-Skip!" cried the leader, straightening up, and at that they all straightened up and hop-skipped, zigzagging about and again circling the bench twice. "Go faster, Aunt Elinor!" cried Teddy, pounding his small fist on his aunt's stout, tight back. "I can't!" she protested, and threw a deprecating glance at Floyd. Lydia,