"I hope she has that dinner ready, Dan.

I'm hungry as a wolf after our walk." "I wish Cousin Mattie's husband was still alive," said Dan.

"He was an awful nice old man.

He always had his pockets full of nuts and apples.
I used to like going there better when he was alive.

Too many old women don't suit me." "Oh, Dan, Cousin Mattie and her sisters-in-law are just as nice and kind as they can be," reproached Cecily.
"Oh, they're kind enough, but they never seem to see that a fellow gets over being five years old if he only lives long enough," retorted Dan.
"I know a story about Cousin Mattie's husband," said the Story Girl.
"His name was Ebenezer, you know--" "Is it any wonder he was thin and stunted looking ?" said Dan.
"Ebenezer is just as nice a name as Daniel," said Felicity.
"Do you REALLY think so, my angel ?" inquired Dan, in honey-sweet tones.
"Go on.