Part 18 (2/2)

”I would as soon go into the woods with a set of pirates,” said Sibyl.

”They howl so,” said Bessie.

”We could never carry enough for them to eat,” said Gem.

”I could not take such a responsibility,” said Aunt Faith; ”something might happen, they might get into the lake.”

”They would be sure to get in; they take to the water like young ducks,” said Hugh.

Before this ma.s.s of testimony, Tom was obliged to give way. ”Well,” he said, after a pause, ”never mind about the B. B.'s so long as you have the picnic.”

”Of course we cannot go to-day,” began Sibyl.

”Why not?” interposed Tom; ”no time like the present. I'll agree to do all the running round; I can run like a tiger.”

Sibyl sighed, and glanced out into the sun-s.h.i.+ne with a foreboding of heat and freckles.

”Who shall we have?” said Bessie.

”Mr. Leslie will go, I presume,” said Aunt Faith; ”I know that clergymen often make a holiday of Monday.”

Sibyl's face cleared, and she made no further objection to the plan.

”As I do not like to be hurried,” continued Aunt Faith, ”I propose that we do not start until after dinner; we will have a tea instead of a dinner in the woods, and come home at twilight.”

At first Tom objected to this idea, but as the others liked it, he yielded, and the question of invitations was taken up.

”I propose we leave that to Aunt Faith,” said Bessie; ”if we once begin discussing it, we shall sit here all the morning, for we never can agree.”

”Where shall we go?” said Hugh.

Aunt Faith suggested Oak Grove.

”Oh no!” said Tom, ”that is too near town. Let us go somewhere ever so far away, so that we shall feel like Robinson Crusoe on a desert island.”

Hugh, who had a secret plan for driving a four-in-hand, seconded Tom's idea, and finally it was decided that they should go to Mossy Pond, a beautiful glen ten miles from Westerton, in a rocky region on the lake sh.o.r.e apart from the farming country. Sibyl took the list, and went out to deliver the invitations which Aunt Faith had wisely confined to the immediate neighbor-hood. Mr. Leslie was the only one who lived at some distance, and immediately after the early dinner, Hugh drove over and brought back, as he said, ”_vi et armis_.” ”Here is Mr. Leslie, Aunt Faith,” he called, as he opened the dining-room door. ”Walk in, sir, if you please.” Having thus safely accomplished his charge, Hugh disappeared to arrange the means of transportation. Aunt Faith supposed they were to go in two wagons drawn by their own bays, and Mr. Marr's blacks. She little knew the truth!

Mr. Leslie thus unceremoniously introduced into the family circle, took a seat at the table, and watched the proceedings with amused interest.

”Surely we do not need all that coffee, Mrs. Sheldon,” he said, as Aunt Faith filled a tin box with the fragrant mixture,--ground coffee and egg all prepared for the boiling water.

”My only fear is that it will not be enough,” replied Aunt Faith, with a smile.

”And those biscuits! Do you keep stores for an army on hand night and day?”

”Oh, no; I sent to a bakery for these. But, with all my efforts, I have not been able to get enough cold meat.”

”You say that in the face of this mountain of cold tongue? Do we, then, turn into gormandizers by going a few miles into the country?”

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