`` Aunt Plumy begs me to stay over Christmas , and I have consented , as I always dread the formal dinner with which my guardian celebrates the day . `` My brilliant idea is this . I 'm going to make it a real old-fashioned frolic , and wo n't you come and help me ? You will enjoy it immensely I am sure , for Aunt is a character . Cousin Saul worth seeing , and Ruth a far prettier girl than any of the city rose-buds coming out this season . Bring Leonard Randal along with you to take notes for his new books ; then it will be fresher and truer than the last , clever as it was . `` The air is delicious up here , society amusing , this old farmhouse full of treasures , and your bosom friend pining to embrace you . Just telegraph yes or no , and we will expect you on Tuesday . `` Ever yours , `` SOPHIE VAUGHAN . '' `` They will both come , for they are as tired of city life and as fond of change as I am , '' said the writer of the above , as she folded her letter and went to get it posted without delay . Aunt Plumy was in the great kitchen making pies ; a jolly old soul , with a face as ruddy as a winter apple , a cheery voice , and the kindest heart that ever beat under a gingham gown . Pretty Ruth was chopping the mince , and singing so gaily as she worked that the four-and-twenty immortal blackbirds could not have put more music into a pie than she did . Saul was piling wood into the big oven , and Sophie paused a moment on the threshold to look at him , for she always enjoyed the sight of this stalwart cousin , whom she likened to a Norse viking , with his fair hair and beard , keen blue eyes , and six feet of manly height , with shoulders that looked broad and strong enough to bear any burden . His back was toward her , but he saw her first , and turned his flushed face to meet her , with the sudden lighting up it always showed when she approached . `` I 've done it , Aunt ; and now I want Saul to post the letter , so we can get a speedy answer . '' `` Just as soon as I can hitch up , cousin ; '' and Saul pitched in his last log , looking ready to put a girdle round the earth in less than forty minutes . `` Well , dear , I ai n't the least mite of objection , as long as it pleases you . I guess we can stan ' it ef your city folks can . I presume to say things will look kind of sing ` lar to 'em , but I s ` pose that 's what they come for . Idle folks do dreadful queer things to amuse 'em ; '' and Aunt Plumy leaned on the rolling-pin to smile and nod with a shrewd twinkle of her eye , as if she enjoyed the prospect as much as Sophie did .
`` I shall be afraid of 'em , but I 'll try not to make you ashamed of me , '' said XXXXX , who loved her charming cousin even more than she admired her .
Plumy Randal Ruth Saul Sophie VAUGHAN ef first minutes rolling-pin