He fairly bubbled over with enthusiasm.
"I'm so glad, so glad, for Matilda's sake!" he kept saying.

"I warrant you now that fine brother of hers has got some wonderfully big thing up his sleeve; and so we're invited to go along and see the fairy story through, are we, Hugh?
How long do we have to wait before making a start for the Hosmer cottage?
I wonder if Matilda'll care if we keep company with them on their picnic?
First thing she'll do will be to run back and add some more to the basket, because she knows how boys can eat like a house afire.

I don't see how I can stand it waiting nearly a whole hour; but then there are a hundred other questions I'm burning to ask you." Time passed while they sat there in Thad's room and talked.

Hugh was compelled to relate every little incident over again, and amidst all sorts of comments on the part of the other.

Finally Hugh said it was now a quarter to ten, and that they might as well be starting out, which they proceeded to do most eagerly indeed..