from the sand, and risen to his feet, was
now tumbling rapidly over in a series of "cart-wheels;" another
performance in which the souls of our children delighted, and in which
he was an expert. But he--uncle Rutherford--said nothing more at
present; and we were all left in ignorance as to what benevolent plan
tending Jim-wise he might be pondering.

For a man otherwise so charming and considerate, uncle Rutherford had
the most exasperating way of exciting one's curiosity and interest to
the verge of distraction, and then calmly ignoring them.

But now I suddenly bethought myself of Jim's "peanut plan," which,
truth to tell, had passed entirely from my mind since the day I had
first heard of it; and, with an eye to further prepossessing uncle
Rutherford in the boy's favor, I forthwith unfolded his scheme for the
benefit of the helpless young Blairs. My uncle was amused, but, as I
could see, was pleased, too, with Jim's gratitude and appreciation of
the good which had fallen to his own lot.

"Amy," said uncle Rutherford presently,--_apropos_ of some further
allusion which was made to my tale, and to Captain Yorke's share in
it,--"Amy, I am going to invite Captain and Mrs. Yorke to visit New
York this winter, and," with a twinkle in his eye, "shall depend upon
you and Milly to escort them hither and thither to see the city lions."

"Invite them to your house?" I inquired, in not altogether approving
surprise, for the idea of Captain and Mrs. Yorke as visitors in uncle
Rutherford's house was somewhat incongruous; while the vision of Milly
and myself escorting them about was not attractive in my eyes, fond
though I was, in a certain way, of the old man and his dear motherly
wife.

"Not to my own house, no," answered uncle Rutherford, with an
assumption of gravity which by no means imposed upon me, "for I do not
expect to have any house of my own this coming winter,--or, I should
say, not to occupy my own house; for, Amy, as my boys will pass the
winter abroad, and your aunt and I would feel lonely without them, we
have been persuaded by some kind friends, with a whole houseful of
troublesome young people, to make our home with them, and help to keep
their flock in order. So Captain Yorke and----"

But he was interrupted, as I fell upon him in an ecstasy of
delight,--worthy of Allie or Daisy,--enchanted to learn that we were to
have the inexpressible pleasure of having him and aunt Emily to spend
the winter with us; a