, and thank you in his own way,"
answered Laurie, leaning down to answer her.

When Nat made his bow and was about to go, he was called back by many
hands, and had to play again. He did so with such a happy face, that
it was good to see him, for he did his best, and gave them the gay old
tunes that set the feet to dancing, and made quietude impossible.

"Clear the floor!" cried Emil; and in a minute the chairs were pushed
back, the older people put safely in corners and the children gathered
on the stage.

"Show your manners!" called Emil; and the boys pranced up to the ladies,
old and young; with polite invitations to "tread the mazy," as dear Dick
Swiveller has it. The small lads nearly came to blows for the Princess,
but she chose Dick, like a kind, little gentlewoman as she was, and let
him lead her proudly to her place. Mrs. Jo was not allowed to decline;
and Aunt Amy filled Dan with unspeakable delight by refusing Franz and
taking him. Of course Nan and Tommy, Nat and Daisy paired off, while
Uncle Teddy went and got Asia, who was longing to "jig it," and felt
much elated by the honor done her. Silas and Mary Ann had a private
dance in the hall; and for half-an-hour Plumfield was at its merriest.

The party wound up with a grand promenade of all the young folks, headed
by the pumpkin-coach with the Princess and driver inside, and the rats
in a wildly frisky state.

While the children enjoyed this final frolic, the elders sat in the
parlor looking on as they talked together of the little people with the
interest of parents and friends.

"What are you thinking of, all by yourself, with such a happy face,
sister Jo?" asked Laurie, sitting down beside her on the sofa.

"My summer's work, Teddy, and amusing myself by imagining the future of
my boys," she answered, smiling as she made room for him.

"They are all to be poets, painters, and statesmen, famous soldiers, or
at least merchant princes, I suppose."

"No, I am not as aspiring as I once was, and I shall be satisfied if
they are honest men. But I will confess that I do expect a little glory
and a career for some of them. Demi is not a common child, and I think
he will blossom into something good and great in the best sense of the
word. The others will do well, I hope, especially my last two boys, for,
after hearing Nat play to-night, I really think he has genius."

"Too soon to say; talent he certainly has, and there is no doubt that
the boy can soon ea