"See the happy, merry two, One with brown eyes, one with blue, One is dark and one is fair, Which of us will join them there?"
It was Nancy's turn now to choose a friend from the ring, and she at once chose Flossie.
Flossie was the youngest of the little guests, and she was delighted to be so soon chosen.
Unnoticed by the children, several new arrivals had entered the room. They were a few of Mrs. Dainty's nearest neighbors who had been invited to come in during the evening and see the merrymaking.
As Flossie stood in the centre of the ring with Dorothy and Nancy, she looked toward the playmates who circled around them, and was about to choose Mollie, when she spied Uncle Harry, and she laughed with delight. He was dressed as an English squire of an early century. Quickly she whispered to Dorothy.
"I choose you, Uncle Harry," she cried, "oh, come quick."
Never too dignified to have a bit of fun, and always ready to please the children, he hurried forward and entered the ring.
"As if I'd lose a moment in joining three such charming young ladies," he said, while the laughing children danced yet faster around the merry four.
How handsome he looked as he stood among his little friends. A brave, athletic young man he was, with a heart full of love for the children, who returned his affection with interest.
"Now, Uncle Harry, it's your turn to sing," said Flossie. "Do you know the verse you ought to sing?"
"I don't believe I do know the one which belongs in this game, but I'll sing one of my own," he said with a laugh.
"You are so charming, all in a ring, Hardly I know of which siren to sing, Yet if I _must_ choose, then it shall be Mollie, bright Mollie to come unto me."
His was a fine voice, and he sang his improvised verse to the music of one of his favorite songs, "Beautiful Dreamer."
"Oh, I wish you had to sing ever so many verses," Jeanette said impulsively, and he bowed to her earnestly spoken compliment.
They had paused for a moment to rest, and for a time their hands were unclasped. Patricia thought that this was just her chance. She touched Arabella's arm.
"Come," she whispered, and Arabella followed.
It happened that no one noticed that the two had left their playmates, and soon they were flying around in a circle, singing their verses, and choosing as before.