ise anything merely
because it lacks beauty."

"Is it you talking, Cousin Ronald, or is it brother Max?" asked Ned,
looking searchingly first at one and then at the other.

"No matter which, laddie," said the old gentleman; "and who shall say
it hasn't been both of us?"

"Oh, yes, maybe it was! I couldn't tell," exclaimed Ned.

But lunch was now ready and all repaired to the table. The blessing
had been asked and all were sitting quietly as Dr. Percival took up a
knife to carve a fowl. "Don't, oh, don't!" seemed to come from it in a
terrified scream. "I'm all right. No need of a surgeon's knife."

Everyone was startled for an instant, the doctor nearly dropping his
knife; then there was a general laugh and the carving proceeded
without further objection. The servants were all out of the room at
the moment.

"Ah, Cousin Ronald, that reminds me of very old times, when I was a
little child," said Violet, giving the old gentleman a mirthful look.

"Ah, yes!" he said, "I remember now that I was near depriving you of
your share of the fowl when breakfasting one morning at your father's
hospitable board. Have you not yet forgiven that act of indiscretion?"

"Indeed, yes; fully and freely long ago. But it was really nothing to
forgive--your intention having been to afford amusement to us all."

"Neddie, shall I help you? are you willing to eat of a fowl that can
scream out so much like a human creature?" asked Dr. Percival.

"Oh, yes, Cousin Doctor; 'cause I know just how he did it," laughed
the little boy.

Then the talk about the table turned upon various matters connected
with the subject of the approaching wedding--whether this or that
relative would be likely to come; when he or she might be expected to
arrive, and where be entertained; the adornment of the grounds for the
occasion; the fashion in which each of the brides's new dresses should
be made and what jewelry, if any, she should wear when dressed for the
ceremony. Also about a maid of honor and bridesmaids.

"I want to have two or three little flower girls," said Sidney; "and I
have thought of Elsie Dinsmore, Elsie Embury, and Elsie Raymond as the
ones I should prefer; they are near enough of an age, all related to
me and all quite pretty; at least they will look so when handsomely
dressed," she added with a laughing look at the one present, who
blushed and seemed slightly embarrassed for a moment, but said not a
word.

"I highly approve if we can g