“Because you love me,” sobbed Rose.  “Aunt Judith took care of me because she had to, but she always said it was a nuisance, and now Aunt Rose and Aunt Lois are kind and good to me, and they like to have me with them, but they never—­”

The soft little voice paused.

“They’d never think to hold me if I felt badly, and sometimes I’m so lonely.  Other little girls have mamas to care for them, and big, tall papas who love them, and truly aunts, real good aunts aren’t the same.”

“How about uncles?  Are they worth while?” questioned Uncle John.

She lifted her head, and seeing the twinkle in his fine eyes, she smiled through her tears.

“I’ve only one uncle,” she said, “but he’s the best one in the world!”

“He’s scheming now to find a way to be with you at least a part of each year,” was the quick reply.

“Oh, will you, can you do that?” cried Rose.

“I think so,” he said, “and I cannot now tell you just how I shall manage it, but I am quite sure that I can do it, and until I am ready to talk with your Aunt Rose regarding it, you must promise to keep it for a little secret, a pleasant thing to think of when days are a bit dull.”

“Oh, I will, I will!” cried Rose.  “I won’t say a word about it, but I’ll think of it every day!”

Her tears had vanished, and when Polly came running in she did not dream that Rose had been crying.

“Only think,” said Polly, “I have to say ‘Good-bye’ twice to-day, for I’m to leave here, and then I’m to leave Rose’s house to go back to Sherwood Hall!”

“And we both knew that this was the day that Polly was to go home, but last night she got a letter,” said Rose, “and her mama says that she’s glad she’s having such a lovely time, but that Sherwood Hall is so lonely without her, she can’t spare her any longer.

“I do think it must be dreadful there with Princess Polly away, but I wish I didn’t have to give her up.”

“Well, now, suppose we make the trip as cheerful as possible,” said Uncle John.  “You have your suit cases, your boxes of shells, your little boats and two hand bags.  Really, I think the automobile will be far more comfortable than the cars.”

“Oh, yes, yes!” they cried in delight.

“And I’ll drive you over to Aunt Rose’s house.  I’ll stay while we lunch with her, and later in the afternoon we’ll take Polly to Sherwood Hall, where I shall take the opportunity to tell Mrs. Sherwood how greatly I have enjoyed her little daughter as my guest.”

“Oh, what fun!” cried Polly, “and mama will see you.  I told her you were almost as handsome as papa!”

“Oh, spare my blushes!” said Uncle John, “but all the same, I thank you, little Princess Polly, for your good opinion of me.  I trust that Rose, and I may borrow you again some day.”

[Illustration with caption:  “Look!” she cried, “the waves never danced prettier.”]