During the summer and the winter following many friends visited with
Lady Hollyhock and her family.
[Illustration]
From Cucumber Hill came a most dignified Englishman. At a glance one
knew him to be English for he wore a single eyeglass. A large brass
headed furniture tack occupied the place of one eye while the other
was filled by a small black carpet tack. Though a trifle stiff in his
manners, this gentleman always wore an agreeable smile.
The lady who came with him could not be called beautiful. Her neck
was too thick for that, but she smiled so pleasantly and wore such a
becoming gown that one hardly noticed her neck. This gown was a loose
flowing one of white. With her rather sallow, bumpy, green skin she
could not have worn colors.
And the children from Cucumber Hill were much like their elders—a
little stiff and awkward but so cheerful that they were always welcome.
After their visit, the members of this happy family were usually caught
and devoured by Florence, Tom and Bunnie who played “Bear” sometimes to
please Tom.
Like little Russians the children ate their cucumbers with the skins
on, just as they would eat apples.
[Illustration: LORD CUCUMBER]