The Lanings and the Stanhopes had been in the best of health since returning from the south. Mrs. Stanhope was no more the pale and delicate person she had been, and her former nervous manner was entirely gone. The cheeks of the three girls were like roses, and it was no wonder that the Rovers thought them the nicest young ladies in the whole world.
"Wish we were in a carriage," observed Tom, after the turnout had gone on. "Then we might have gone for a drive together."
"I know what Tom would like," said Sam. "A nice buggy and a slow horse, and Nellie beside him"
"Humph, please change the names to Sam and Grace and you'll hit it closer," answered Tom, his face growing red.
"I'm going to make up a poem about them some day," said Songbird. "I shall call it—let me see—ah, yes—The Three Fair Maidens of Cedarville."
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