edge on things. This is all so tame. I should have loved it when all the homes were cabins, and watchers for the stealthy Indian canoes patrolled the shores. You wait until mother comes, and if my violin isn't angry with me for leaving it, to-night we shall sing you the Song of the imberlost. You shall hear the big gold bees over the red, yellow, and purple flowers, bird song, wind talk, and the whispers of Sleepy Snake Creek, as it goes past you. You will know!" Elnora turned to Freckles.
He nodded. "Who better?" he asked. "This is secure while the children are so small, but when they get larger, we are going farther north, into real forest, where they can learn self-reliance and develop backbone."
Elnora laid away the violin. "Come along, children," she said. "We must get at that backbone business at once. Let's race to the playhouse."
With the brood at her heels Elnora ran, and for an hour lively sounds stole from the remaining spot of forest on the island, which lay beside the O'More cottage. Then Terry went to the playroom to bring Alice her doll. He came racing back, dragging it by one leg, and crying, "There's company! Some one has come that mamma and papa are just tearing down the house over. I saw through the window."
"It could not be my mother, yet," mused Elnora. "Her boat is not due until twelve. Terry, give Alice that doll"
"It's a man-person, and I don't know him, but my father is shaking his hand right straight along, and my
