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 Ruth , who loved her charming cousin even more than she admired her . `` No fear of that , dear . They will be the awkward ones , and you must set them at ease by just being your simple selves , and treating them as if they were every-day people . Nell is very nice and jolly when she drops her city ways , as she must here . She will enter into the spirit of the fun at once , and I know you 'll all like her .
Mr. Randal is rather the worse for too much praise and petting , as successful XXXXX are apt to be , so a little plain talk and rough work will do him good .
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