The Project Gutenberg EBook of Marjorie's Busy Days, by Carolyn Wells This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: Marjorie's Busy Days Author: Carolyn Wells Release Date: November 18, 2007 [EBook #23531] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARJORIE'S BUSY DAYS *** Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Ian Deane and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net Busy Days. Page 144 "SHE FED THE GOLD-FISH, ... SHE TRIED AMUSEMENTS OF VARIOUS SORTS, BUT NONE SEEMED TO INTEREST HER." MARJORIE'S BUSY DAYS BY CAROLYN WELLS AUTHOR OF THE "PATTY" BOOKS GROSSET & DUNLAP PUBLISHERS NEW YORK Made in the United States of America Copyright, 1906 By Dodd, Mead & Company Published, October, 1908 CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I A Jolly Good Game 1 II An Exasperating Guest 15 III Picnic Plans 28 IV An Ourday 43 V A Novel Picnic 55 VI The First Day of School 72 VII The Jinks Club 84 VIII Spelling Troubles 99 IX A Real Adventure 114 X In Inky Plight 130 XI The Hallowe'en Party 143 XII Totty and Dotty 159 XIII A Fair Exchange? 172 XIV A Noble Society 190 XV Disturbed Citizens 204 XVI Rosy Posy's Choice 220 XVII A Substitute Guest 235 XVIII Thanksgiving Day 252 XIX A Spool of Yarns 265 XX The Charity Bazaar 278 MARJORIE'S BUSY DAYS [Pg 1] CHAPTER I A JOLLY GOOD GAME "What do you say, King, railroad smash-up or shipwreck?" "I say shipwreck, with an awfully desert island." "I say shipwreck, too," said Kitty, "but I don't want to swim ashore." "All right," agreed Marjorie, "shipwreck, then. I'll get the cocoanuts." "Me, too," chimed in Rosy Posy. "Me tumble in the wet water, too!" The speakers in this somewhat enigmatical conversation were the four Maynard children, and they were deciding on their morning's occupation. It was a gorgeous day in early September. The air, without being too cool, was just crisp enough to make one feel energetic, though indeed no special atmospheric conditions were required to make the four Maynards feel energetic. That was their normal state, and if they were specially gay and lively this morning, it was not because of the brisk, breezy day, but because they were reunited after their summer's separation. Though they had many friends among the neighboring children, the Maynards were a congenial quartette, and had equally good times playing by themselves or with others. Their home occupied a whole block in the prettiest residence part of Rockwell, and the big square house sat in the midst of about seven acres of lawn and garden. There were many fine old trees, grassy paths, and informal flower-beds, and here the children were allowed to do whatever they chose, but outside the place, without permission, they must not go. There was a playground, a tennis court, and a fountain, but better than these they liked the corner full of fruit trees, called "the orchard," and another corner, where grapes grew on trellises, called "the vineyard." The barn and its surroundings, too, often proved attractive, for the Maynards' idea of playing were by no means confined to quiet or decorous games. The house itself was surrounded by broad verandas, and on the southern one of these, in the morning sunshine, the four held conclave. Kingdon, the eldest, was the only boy, and oftener than not his will was law. But this was usually because he had such splendid ideas about games and how to play them, that his sisters gladly fell in with his plans. But Marjorie was not far behind her brother in ingenuity, and when they all set to work, or rather, set to play, the games often became very elaborate and exciting. "Shipwreck" was always a favorite, because it could develop in so many ways. Once they were shipwrecked no rescue was possible, unless help appeared from some unexpected quarter. It might be a neighbor's child coming to see them, or it might be a servant, or one of their own parents, but really rescued they must be by actual outsiders. Unless, indeed, they could build a raft and save themselves, but this they had never accomplished. The desert island was selected, and this time they chose a certain grassy knoll under an immense old maple tree. Marjorie disappeared in the direction of the kitchen, and, after a time, came back with a small basket, apparently well- filled. With this she scampered away to the "desert island," and soon returned, swinging the empty basket. Tossing this into the house, she announced that she was ready. Then the four went to the big, double, wooden swing, and got in. Kitty carried her doll, Arabella, from which she was seldom separated, and Rosy Posy hugged her big white Teddy Bear, who was named Boffin and who accompanied the baby on all expeditions. The swing, to-day, was an ocean steamer. "Have your tickets ready!" called out Kingdon, as his passengers swarmed up the gangplank, which he had thoughtfully laid from the ground to the low step of the swing. Soon they were all on board, the gangplank drawn in, and the ship started. At first all went smoothly. The swing swayed gently back and forth, and the passengers admired the beautiful scenery on either side. The Captain had never crossed an ocean, and the nearest he had come to it had been a sail up the Hudson and a trip to Coney Island. His local color, therefore, was a bit mixed, but his passengers were none the wiser, or if they were, they didn't care. "On the right, we see West Point!" the Captain shouted, pointing to their own house. "That's where the soldiers come from. The noble soldiers who fight for the land of the free and the home of the brave." [Pg 2] [Pg 3] [Pg 4] [Pg 5] "Are you a soldier, sir?" asked Marjorie. "Yes, madam; I am a veteran of the Civil War. But as there's no fighting to do now, I run this steamer." "A fine ship it is," observed Kitty. "It is that! No finer craft sails the waves than this." "What is that mountain in the distance?" asked Marjorie, shading her eyes with her hand as she looked across the street. "That's a—a peak of the Rockies, ma'am. And now we are passing the famous statue of 'Liberty Enlightening the World.'" As the statue to which Kingdon pointed was really Mrs. Maynard, who had come out on the veranda, and stood with her hand high against a post, the children shouted with laughter. But this was quickly suppressed, as part of the fun of making-believe was to keep grave about it. "Is your daughter ill, madam?" asked Marjorie of Kitty, whose doll hung over her arm in a dejected way. "No, indeed!" cried Kitty, righting poor Arabella. "She is as well as anything. Only she's a little afraid of the ocean. It seems to be getting rougher." It did seem so. The swing was not only going more rapidly, but was joggling from side to side. "Don't be alarmed, ladies," said the gallant Captain; "there's no danger, I assure you." "I'm not afraid of the sea," said Marjorie, "as much as I am of that fearful wild bear. Will he bite?" "No," said Kingdon, looking at Rosy Posy. "That's his trainer who is holding him. He's a wonderful man with wild beasts. He's—he's Buffalo Bill. Speak up, Rosy Posy; you're Buffalo Bill, and that's a bear you're taking home to your show." "Ess," said Rosamond, who was somewhat versed in make-believe plays, "I'se Buffaro Bill; an' 'is is my big, big bear." "Will he bite?" asked Kitty, shrinking away in fear, and protecting Arabella with one arm. "Ess! He bites awful!" Rosy Posy's eyes opened wide as she exploited her Bear's ferocity, and Boffin made mad dashes at Arabella, who duly shrieked with fear. But now the ship began to pitch and toss fearfully. The Captain stood up in his excitement, but that only seemed to make the motion worse. "Is there danger?" cried Marjorie, in tragic tones, as she gripped the belt of King's Norfolk jacket. "Give me this life- preserver; I don't see any other." "They are under the seats!" shouted the Captain, who was now greatly excited. "I cannot deceive you! We are in great danger! We may strike a rock any minute! Put on life-preservers, all of you. They are under the seats." The other three scrambled for imaginary life-preservers, and vigorously put them on, when, with a terrific yell, Kingdon cried out: "We have struck! We're on a rock! The ship is settling; we must all be drowned. We are lost! Launch the boats!" This was a signal for shrieks and wails from the others, and in a minute it was pandemonium. The four screamed and groaned, the swing shook violently, and then came almost to a standstill. Kingdon fell out with a bounce and lay prone on the ground. Marjorie sprang out, and as she reached the ground, struck out like a swimmer in the water. Kitty daintily stepped out, remarking: "This is a fine life-preserver. I can stand straight up in the water." Baby Rosamond bundled out backward, dropping Boffin as she did so. "The bear, the bear!" screamed Kingdon, and swimming a few strokes along the soft, green grass, he grabbed the bear and waved him aloft. "What can we do!" stammered Marjorie, panting for breath. "I've swum till I'm exhausted. Must I drown!" With a wail, she turned on her eyes on the grass, and closing her eyes, prepared to sink beneath the waves. "Do not despair," urged Kingdon, as he grasped her arm. "Perhaps we can find a plank or a raft. Or perhaps we can yet swim ashore." "How many survivors are we?" asked Marjorie, sitting up in the water and looking about. "Four," responded Kitty; "but I won't swim. It makes my dress all greeny, and stubs my shoes out." [Pg 6] [Pg 7] [Pg 8] [Pg 9] Kitty was the only Maynard who was finicky about her clothes. It called forth much derision from her elder brother and sister, but she stood firm. She would play their plays, until it came to "swimming" across grass and earth, and there she rebelled. "All right," said Kingdon, good-naturedly, "you needn't. There's a raft," pointing to what had been the gangplank. "Cannot you and your infant daughter manage to get ashore on that? This other lady is an expert swimmer, and I think she can reach land, while Buffalo Bill will, of course, save himself." "Me save myself!" exclaimed Rosy Posy, gleefully. She had no objections to swimming on land, and throwing her fat self down flat, kicked vigorously, and assisted Boffin to swim by her side. Kitty and Arabella arranged themselves on the raft, which Kitty propelled by a series of hitches. The shipwrecked sufferers thus made their way toward the desert island. There were several narrow escapes from drowning, but they generously assisted each other, and once when Kitty fell off her raft, the noble Captain offered to take Arabella on his own broad and stalwart back. Buffalo Bill frequently forgot she was in the tossing ocean, and walked upright on her own fat legs. But King said she was only "treading water," go that was all right. At last they sighted land, and by a mighty effort, and much encouraging of one another, they managed to reach the shore of the island. Exhausted, Marjorie threw herself on the beach, and the half-drowned Captain also dragged himself up on dry land. Kitty skilfully brought her raft ashore, and stepped out, exclaiming: "Saved! But to what a fate!" This was one of their favorite lines, and Marjorie weakly opened her eyes to respond: "Methinks I shall not see to-morrow's sun!" "Hist!" whispered Kingdon, "say no word, lady. There may be cannibals here!" "Tannibals!" cried Buffalo Bill. "I 'ike Tannibals. Where is zey?" Somewhat revived, Kingdon began to look round the desert island to see what its nature might be. "We have escaped one terrible death!" he declared, "only to meet another. We must starve! This is a desert island exactly in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. No steamers pass here; no sailing vessels or ferryboats or,—or anything!" "Oh! What shall we do?" moaned Kitty, clasping her hands in despair. "My precious Arabella! Already she is begging for food." "We must consider," said Marjorie, sitting up, and looking about her. "If there is nothing else, we must kill the bear and eat him." "No, no!" screamed Rosy Posy. "No, no eat my Boffin Bear." "I will explore," said Kingdon. "Come, Buffalo Bill, we are the men of this party, we will go all over the island and see what may be found in the way of food. Perhaps we will find cocoanuts." "Ess," said Buffalo Bill, slipping her little hand in her brother's, "an' we'll take Boffin, so he won't get all killded." "And while you're gone," said Marjorie, "we will dry our dripping garments and mend them." "Yes," said Kitty, "with needles and thread out of my bag. I brought a big bag of all sorts of things, like Robinson Crusoe." "That wasn't Robinson Crusoe," said King, "it was Mrs. Swiss Robinson." "Oh, so it was! Well, it doesn't matter, I brought the bag, anyway." The two brave men went away, and returned in a surprisingly short time with a surprising amount of food. "These are cocoanuts," announced Kingdon, as he displayed four oranges. "I had to climb the tall palm trees to reach them. But no hardships or dangers are too great to assist fair ladies." The fair ladies expressed great delight at the gallant Captain's deed, and asked Buffalo Bill what she had secured. "Edds," said Rosy Posy, triumphantly, and, sure enough, in her tiny skirt, which she held gathered up before her, were three eggs and a cracker. The eggs were hard-boiled, and were promptly appropriated by the three elder victims of the shipwreck, while the cracker fell to the share of Buffalo Bill, who was not yet of an age to eat hard-boiled eggs. "I, too, will make search!" cried Marjorie. "Methinks there may yet be food which you overlooked." As Marjorie had brought the food to the desert island only an hour before, it was not impossible that she might find some more, so they let her go to make search. She returned with a paper bag of crackers and another of pears. [Pg 10] [Pg 11] [Pg 12] [Pg 13] "These are bread fruit," she announced, showing the crackers; "and these are wild pears. This is indeed a fruitful island, and we're lucky to be wrecked on such a good one." "Lucky, indeed!" agreed the Captain. "Why, when I discovered those eggs on a rocky ledge, I knew at once they were gulls' eggs." "And how fortunate that they're boiled," said Kitty. "I can't bear raw eggs." The shipwrecked sufferers then spread out their food, and sat down to a pleasant meal, for the Maynard children had convenient appetites, and could eat at almost any hour of the day. CHAPTER II AN EXASPERATING GUEST "Aren't hard-boiled eggs the very best things to eat in all the world?" said Marjorie, as she looked lovingly at the golden sphere she had just extracted from its ivory setting. "They're awful good," agreed King, "but I like oranges better." "Me eat lollunge," piped up Rosy Posy. "Buffaro Bill would 'ike a lollunge." "So you shall, Baby. Brother'll fix one for you." And the shipwrecked Captain carefully prepared an orange, and gave it bit by bit into the eager, rosy fingers. "Of all things in the world," said Kitty, "I like chocolate creams best." "Oh, so do I, if I'm not hungry!" said Marjorie. "I think I like different things at different times." "Well, it doesn't matter much what you like now," said King, as he gave the last section of orange to Rosy Posy, "for everything is all eaten up. Where'd you get those eggs, Mops? We never hardly have them except on picnics." "I saw them in the pantry. Ellen had them for a salad or something. So I just took them, and told her she could boil some more." "You're a good one, Mopsy," said her brother, looking at her in evident admiration. "The servants never get mad at you. Now if I had hooked those eggs, Ellen would have blown me up sky-high." "Oh, I just smiled at her," said Marjorie, "and then it was all right. Now, what are we going to do next?" "Hark!" said Kingdon, who was again the shipwrecked mariner. "I hear a distant sound as of fierce wild beasts growling and roaring." "My child, my child!" shrieked Kitty, snatching up Arabella. "She will be torn by dreadful lions and tigers!" "We must protect ourselves," declared Marjorie. "Captain, can't you build a barricade? They always do that in books." "Ay, ay, ma'am. But also we must hoist a flag, a signal of distress. For should a ship come by, they might stop and rescue us." "But we have no flag. What can we use for one?" "Give me your daughter's petticoat," said the Captain to Kitty. "Not so!" said Kitty, who was fond of dramatic phrases. "Arabella's petticoat is spandy clean, and I won't have it used to make a flag." "I'll give you a flag," said Marjorie. "Take my hair-ribbon." She began to pull off her red ribbon, but Kingdon stopped her. "No," he said, "that won't do. We're not playing Pirates. It must be a white flag. It's for a signal of distress." Marjorie thought a moment. There really seemed to be no white flag available. "All right!" she cried, in a moment. "I'll give you a piece of my petticoat. It's an old one, and the ruffle is torn anyhow." In a flash, impetuous Marjorie had torn a good-sized bit out of her little white petticoat, and the Captain fastened it to a long branch he had broken from the maple tree. This he managed, with the aid of some stones, to fasten in an upright position, and then they sat down to watch for a passing sail. [Pg 14] [Pg 15] [Pg 16] [Pg 17] [Pg 18] "Buffaro Bill so s'eepy," announced that small person, and, with fat old Boffin for a pillow, Rosy Posy calmly dropped off into a morning nap. But the others suffered various dreadful vicissitudes. They were attacked by wild beasts, which, though entirely imaginary, required almost as much killing as if they had been real. Kitty shot or lassoed a great many, but she declined to engage in the hand-to-hand encounters with tigers and wolves, such as Marjorie and Kingdon undertook, for fear she'd be thrown down on the ground. And, indeed, her fears were well founded, for the valiant fighters were often thrown by their fierce adversaries, and rolled over and over, only to pick themselves up and renew the fray. More exciting still was an attack from the natives of the island. They were horrible savages, with tomahawks, and they approached with blood-curdling yells. Needless to say that, after a fearful battle, the natives were all slain or put to rout, and the conquerors, exhausted but triumphant, sat round their camp-fire and boasted of their valorous deeds. As noontime drew near, the settlers on the island began to grow hungry again, and, strange to say, the imaginary birds they shot and ate were not entirely satisfying. Buffalo Bill, too, waked up, and demanded a jink of water. But none could leave the island and brave the perils of the boundless ocean, unless in a rescuing ship. For a long time they waited. They waved their white flag, and they even shouted for help. But the "island" was at some distance from the house or street and none came to rescue them. At last, they saw a huge, white-covered wagon slowly moving along the back drive. "A sail! A sail!" cried the Captain. "What, ho! Help! Help!" The other shipwrecked ones joined the cry, and soon the wagon drew a little nearer, and then stopped. "Help! Help!" cried the children in chorus. It was the butcher's wagon, and they knew it well, but this season there was a new driver who didn't know the Maynard children. "What's the matther?" he cried, jumping from his seat, and running across the grass to the quartette. "We're shipwrecked!" cried Marjorie. "We can't get home. Oh, save us from a cruel fate! Carry us back to our far- away fireside!" "Help!" cried Kitty, faintly. "My child is ill, and I can no longer survive!" Dramatic Kitty sank in a heap on the ground, and the butcher's boy was more bewildered than ever. "Save me!" cried Rosy Posy, toddling straight to him, and putting up her arms. "Save Buffaro Bill first,—me an' Boffin." This was more intelligible, and the butcher's boy picked up the smiling child, and with a few long strides reached his cart, and deposited her therein. "Me next! Me next!" screamed Marjorie. "I'm fainting, too!" With a thud, she fell in a heap beside Kitty. "The saints presarve us!" exclaimed the frightened Irishman. "Whativer is the matther wid these childher? Is it pizened ye are?" "No, only starving," said Marjorie, but her faint voice was belied by the merry twinkle in her eyes, which she couldn't suppress at the sight of the man's consternation. "Aha! It's shammin' ye are! I see now." "It's a game," explained Kingdon. "We're shipwrecked on a desert island, and you're a passing captain of a small sailing vessel. Will you take us aboard?" "Shure, sir," said the other, his face aglow with Irish wit and intelligence. "I persave yer manin'. 'Deed I will resky ye, but how will ye get through the deep wathers to me ship forninst?" "You wade over, and carry this lady," said King, pointing to Kitty, "and the rest of us will swim." "Thot's a foine plan; come along, miss;" and in a moment Kitty was swung up to the brave rescuer's shoulder, while King and Midget were already "swimming" across the grass to the rescue ship. All clambered into the wagon, and the butcher drove them in triumph to the back door. Here they jumped out, and, after thanking their kind rescuer, they scampered into the house. [Pg 19] [Pg 20] [Pg 21] "Such a fun!" said Rosy Posy, as her mother bathed her heated little face. "Us was all shipperecked, an' I was Buffaro Bill, an' Boffin was my big wild bear!" "You two are sights!" said Mrs. Maynard; laughing as she looked at the muddied, grass-stained, and torn condition of Kingdon and Marjorie. "I'm glad you had your play-clothes on, but I don't see why you always have to have such rough-and-tumble plays." "'Cause we're a rough-and-tumble pair, Mothery," said King; "look at Kitty there! she kept herself almost spick and span." "Well, I'm glad I have all sorts of children," said Mrs. Maynard. "Go and get into clean clothes, and be ready for luncheon promptly on time. I'm expecting Miss Larkin." "Larky! Oh!" groaned Kingdon. "I say, Mothery, can't we—us children, I mean—have lunch in the playroom?" He had sidled up to his mother and was caressing her cheek with his far-from-clean little hands. "No," said Mrs. Maynard, smiling as she kissed the brown fingers, "no, my boy, I want all my olive-branches at my table to-day. So, run along now and get civilized." "Come on, Mops," said Kingdon, in a despairing tone, and, with their arms about each other, the two dawdled away. Kitty had already gone to Nurse to be freshened up. Kitty loved company, and was always ready to put on her best manners. But King and Midget had so much talking to do, and so many plans to make, that they disliked the restraint that company necessarily put upon their own conversation. "I do detest old Larky," said the boy, as they went away. "I don't mind her so much," said Marjorie, "except when she asks me questions." "She's always doing that." "Yes, I know it. But I promised Mother I'd be extra good to-day, and try to talk politely to her. Of course, I can do it if I try." "So can I," said King, with an air of pride in his own powers. "All right, Mops, let's be 'specially 'stremely good and treat Miss Larkin just lovely." Nearly an hour later the four shipwrecked unfortunates, now transformed into clean, well-dressed civilians, were grouped in the library to await Miss Larkin's arrival. The lady was an old friend of Mrs. Maynard's, and though by no means elderly, was yet far from being as young as she tried to look and act. She came tripping in, and after greeting her hostess effusively, she turned to the children. "My, my!" she said. "What a group of little dears! How you have grown,—every one of you. Kingdon, my dear boy, would you like to kiss me?" The request was far from acceptable to King, but the simper that accompanied it so repelled him that he almost forgot his determination to be very cordial to the unwelcome guest. But Midge gave him a warning pinch on his arm, and with an unintelligible murmur of consent, he put up his cheek for the lady's salute. "Oh, what a dear boy!" she gurgled. "I really think I shall have to take you home with me! And, now, here's Marjorie. How are you, my dear? Do you go to school now? And what are you learning?" Miss Larkin's questions always irritated Marjorie, but she answered politely, and then stepped aside in Kitty's favor. "Sweet little Katharine," said the visitor. "You are really an angel child. With your golden hair and blue eyes, you're a perfect cherub; isn't she, Mrs. Maynard?" "She's a dear little girl," said her mother, smiling, "but not always angelic. Here's our baby, our Rosamond." "No, I'se Buffaro Bill!" declared Rosy Posy, assuming a valiant attitude, quite out of keeping with her smiling baby face and chubby body. "Oh, what delicious children! Dear Mrs. Maynard, how good of you to let me come to see them." As Miss Larkin always invited herself, this speech was literally true, but as she and Mrs. Maynard had been schoolmates long ago, the latter felt it her duty to give her friend such pleasure as she could. At the luncheon table, Miss Larkin kept up a running fire of questions. This, she seemed to think, was the only way to entertain children. [Pg 22] [Pg 23] [Pg 24] [Pg 25] "Do you like to read?" she asked of Marjorie. "Yes, indeed," said Midget, politely. "And what books do you like best?" "Fairy stories," said Marjorie, promptly. "Oh, tut, tut!" and Miss Larkin shook a playful finger. "You should like history. Shouldn't she, now?" she asked, appealing to Kingdon. "We like history, too," said Kingdon. "At least, we like it some; but we both like fairy stories better." "Ah, well, children will be children. Do you like summer or winter best?" This was a poser. It had never occurred to Marjorie to think which she liked best. "I like them both alike," she said, truthfully. "Oh, come now; children should have some mind of their own! Little Miss Kitty, I'm sure you know whether you like summer or winter best." Kitty considered. "I like winter best for Christmas, and summer for Fourth of July," she said at last, with the air of one settling a weighty matter. But Miss Larkin really cared nothing to know about these things; it was only her idea of making herself entertaining to her young audience. "And you, Baby Rosamond," she went on, "what do you like best in all the world?" "Boffin," was the ready reply, "an' Buffaro Bill, 'cause I'm it." They all laughed at this, for in the Maynard family Rosy Posy's high estimation of herself was well known. Although it seemed as if it never would, the luncheon at last came to an end. Mrs. Maynard told the children they might be excused, and she and Miss Larkin would chat by themselves. Decorously enough, the four left the room, but once outside the house, King gave a wild whoop of joy and turned a double somersault. Midget threw herself down on a veranda-seat, but with a beaming face, she said: "Well, we behaved all right, anyway; but I was 'most afraid I'd be saucy to her one time. It's such a temptation, when people talk like that." "She talked all the time," said Kitty. "I don't see when she ate anything." "She didn't," said King. "I suppose she'd rather talk than eat. She's not a bit like us." "No," said Marjorie, emphatically, "she's not a bit like us!" CHAPTER III PICNIC PLANS One entire day out of each month Mr. Maynard devoted to the entertainment of his children. This was a long-established custom, and the children looked forward eagerly to what they called an Ourday. The day chosen was always a Saturday, and usually the first Saturday of the month, though this was subject to the convenience of the elders. The children were allowed to choose in turn what the entertainment should be, and if possible their wishes were complied with. As there had been so much bustle and confusion consequent upon their return from the summer vacation, the September "Ourday" did not occur until the second Saturday. It was Marjorie's turn to choose the sport, for, as she had been away at Grandma Sherwood's all summer, she had [Pg 26] [Pg 27] [Pg 28] missed three Ourdays. So one morning, early in the week, the matter was discussed at the breakfast table. "What shall it be, Midget?" asked her father. "A balloon trip, or an Arctic expedition?" Marjorie considered. "I want something outdoorsy," she said, at last, "and I think I'd like a picnic best. A real picnic in the woods, with lunch- baskets, and a fire, and roasted potatoes." "That sounds all right to me," said Mr. Maynard; "do you want a lot of people, or just ourselves?" It was at the children's pleasure on Ourdays to invite their young friends or to have only the family, as they chose. Sometimes, even, Mrs. Maynard did not go with them, and Mr. Maynard took his young brood off for a ramble in the woods, or a day at the seashore or in the city. He often declared that but for this plan he would never feel really acquainted with his own children. "I don't want a lot of people," said Marjorie, decidedly; "but suppose we each invite one. That makes a good-sized picnic." As it was Marjorie's Ourday, her word was law, and the others gladly agreed. "I'll ask Dick Fulton," said Kingdon. "I haven't seen much of him since I came home." "And I'll ask Gladys Fulton, of course," said Midget. As Gladys was her most intimate friend in Rockwell, no one was surprised at this. "I'll ask Dorothy Adams," said Kitty; but Rosy Posy announced: "I won't ask nobody but Boffin. He's the nicest person I know, an' him an' me can walk with Daddy." "Next, where shall the picnic be?" went on Mr. Maynard. "I don't know whether I like Pike's Woods best, or the Mill Race," said Marjorie, uncertainly. "Oh, choose Pike's Woods, Mops," put in Kingdon. "It's lovely there, now, and it's a lot better place to build a fire and all that." "All right, Father; I choose Pike's Woods. But it's too far to walk." "Of course it is, Mopsy. We'll have a big wagon that will hold us all. You may invite your friends, and I'll invite a comrade of my own. Will you go, Mrs. Maynard?" "I will, with pleasure. I adore picnics, and this bids fair to be a delightful one. May I assist you in planning the feast?" "Indeed you may," said Midget, smiling at her mother. "But we can choose, can't we?" "Of course, choose ahead." "Ice-cream," said Marjorie, promptly. "Little lemon tarts," said Kitty. "Candy," said Rosy Posy. "Cold chicken," said Kingdon. "That's a fine bill of fare," said Mr. Maynard, "but I'll add sandwiches and lemonade as my suggestions, and anything we've omitted, I'm sure will get into the baskets somehow." "Oh, won't it be lovely!" exclaimed Marjorie. "I haven't been on a picnic with our own family for so long. We had picnics at Grandma's, but nothing is as much fun as an Ourday." "Let's take the camera," said Kingdon, "and get some snapshots." "Yes, and let's take fishlines, and fish in the brook," said Kitty. "All right, chickabiddies; we'll have a roomy wagon to travel in, so take whatever you like. And now I must be off. Little Mother, you'll make a list to-day, won't you, of such things as I am to get for this frolic?" "Candy," repeated Rosy Posy; "don't fordet that." As the baby was not allowed much candy, she always chose it for her Ourday treat. Mr. Maynard went away to his business, and the others remained at the breakfast table, talking over the coming pleasure. "We'll have a great time!" said Kingdon. "We'll make father play Indians and shipwreck and everything." [Pg 29] [Pg 30] [Pg 31] [Pg 32] "Don't make me play Indians!" exclaimed his mother, in mock dismay. "No, indeedy! You couldn't be an Indian. You're too white-folksy. But you can be a Captive Princess." "Yes!" cried Marjorie; "in chains and shut up in a dungeon." "No, no," screamed Rosy Posy; "my muvver not be shutted up in dunjin!" "No, she shan't, Baby," said her brother, comfortingly; "and, anyway, Mops, Indians don't put people in dungeons, you're thinking of Mediævals." "Well, I don't care," said Midget, happily; "we'll have a lovely time, whatever we play. I'm going over to ask Gladys now. May I, Mother?" "Yes, Midget, run along. Tell Mrs. Fulton that Father and I are going, and that we'd be glad to take Gladys and Dick." Away skipped Marjorie, hatless and coatless, for it was a warm day, and Gladys lived only across the street. "It's so nice to have you back again, Mopsy," said Gladys, after the invitation had been given and accepted. "I was awful lonesome for you all summer." "I missed you, too; but I did have a lovely time. Oh, Gladys, I wish you could see my tree-house at Grandma's! Breezy Inn, its name is, and we had such fun in it." "Why don't you have one here? Won't your father make one for you?" "I don't know. Yes, I suppose he would. But it wouldn't seem the same. It just belongs at Grandma's. And, anyway, I'm busy all the time here. There's so much to do. We play a lot, you know. And then I have my practising every day, and, oh dear, week after next school will begin. I just hate school, don't you, Gladys?" "No, I love it; you know I do." "Well, I don't. I don't mind the lessons, but I hate to sit cooped up at a desk all day. I wish they'd have schools out of doors." "Yes, I'd like that, too. I wonder if we can sit together, this year, Mops?" "Oh, I hope so. Let's ask Miss Lawrence that, the very first thing. Why, I'd die if I had to sit with any one but you." "So would I. But I'm sure Miss Lawrence will let us be together." Gladys was a pretty little girl, though not at all like Marjorie. She was about the same age, but smaller, and with light hair and blue eyes. She was more sedate than Midget, and more quiet in her ways, but she had the same love of fun and mischief, and more than once the two girls had been separated in the schoolroom because of the pranks they concocted when together. Miss Lawrence, their teacher, was a gentle and long-suffering lady, and she loved both little girls, but she was sometimes at her wits' end to know how to tame their rollicking spirits. Gladys was as pleased as Marjorie at the prospect of the picnic. Often the Maynard children had their Ourdays without inviting other guests, but when outsiders were invited they always remembered the happy occasions. All through the week preparations went on, and on Friday Ellen, the cook, gave up most of the day to the making of cakes and tarts and jellies. The next morning she was to get up early to fry the chicken and prepare the devilled eggs. Mr. Maynard brought home candies and fruit from the city, and a huge can of ice-cream was ordered from the caterer. The start was to be made at nine o'clock Saturday morning, for it was a long drive, and everybody wanted a long day in the woods. Friday evening was fair, with a beautiful sunset, and everything boded well for beautiful weather the next day. Rosy Posy, after her bread-and-milk supper, went happily off to bed, and dropped to sleep while telling her beloved Boffin of the fun to come. The other children dined with their parents, and the conversation was exclusively on the one great subject. "I don't think it could rain; do you, Father?" said Kitty, looking over her shoulder, at the fading sunset tints. "I think it could, my dear, but I don't think it will. All signs point to fair weather, and I truly believe we'll have a perfect Ourday and a jolly good time." "We always do," said Midge, happily. "I wonder why all fathers don't have Ourdays with their children. Gladys' father never gets home till seven o'clock, and she has to go to bed at eight, so she hardly sees him at all, except Sundays, and of course they can't play on Sundays." "They must meet as strangers," said Mr. Maynard. "I think our plan is better. I like to feel chummy with my own family, [Pg 33] [Pg 34] [Pg 35] [Pg 36] and the only way to do it is to keep acquainted with each other. I wish I could have a whole day with you every week, instead of only every month." "Can't you, Father?" said Kitty, wistfully. "No, daughter. I have too much business to attend to, to allow me a holiday every week. But perhaps some day I can manage it. Are you taking a hammock to-morrow, King?" "Yes, sir. I thought Mother might like an afternoon nap, and Rosy Posy always goes to sleep in the morning." "Thoughtful boy. Take plenty of rope, but you needn't bother to take trees to swing it from." "No, we'll take the chance of finding some there." "Yes, doubtless somebody will have left them from the last picnic. Your young friends are going?" "Yes," said Marjorie. "King and I asked the two Fultons, and Kitty asked Dorothy Adams. With all of us, and Nurse Nannie, that makes just ten." "And the driver of the wagon makes eleven," said Mr. Maynard. "I suppose we've enough rations for such an army?" "Yes, indeed," said Mrs. Maynard, smiling. "Enough for twenty, I think, but it's well to be on the safe side." The children went to bed rather earlier than usual, in order to be up bright and early for the picnic. Their play-clothes, which were invariably of blue and white striped seersucker, were laid out in readiness, and they fell asleep wishing it were already morning. But when the morning did come! Marjorie wakened first, and before she opened her eyes she heard an ominous sound that sent a thrill of dismay to her heart. She sprang out of bed, and ran to the window. Yes, it was not only raining, it was simply pouring. One of those steady, determined storms that show no sign of speedy clearing. The sky was dark, leaden gray, and the rain came down in what seemed to be a thick, solid volume of water. "Oh!" said Marjorie, with a groan of disappointment from her very heart. "Kitty," she said, softly, wondering if her sister were awake. The girls had two beds on either side of a large room, and Midget tiptoed across the floor, as she spoke. Kitty opened her eyes sleepily. "What is it, Midget? Time to get up? Oh, it's picnic day!" As Kitty became broad awake, she smiled and gaily hopped out of bed. "What's the matter?" she said, in alarm, for Marjorie's face was anything but smiling. For answer, Midget pointed out of the window, toward which Kitty turned for the first time. "Oh!" said she, dropping back on the edge of the bed. And, indeed, there seemed to be nothing else to say. Both girls were so overwhelmed with disappointment that they could only look at each other with despondent faces. Silently they began to draw on their stockings and shoes, and though determined they wouldn't do anything so babyish as to cry, yet it was no easy matter to keep the tears back. "Up yet, chickabiddies?" called Mr. Maynard's cheery voice through the closed door. "Yes, sir," responded two doleful voices. "Then skip along downstairs as soon as you're ready; it's a lovely day for our picnic." Midge and Kitty looked at each other. This seemed a heartless jest indeed! And it wasn't a bit like their father to tease them when they were in trouble. And real trouble this surely was! They heard Mr. Maynard tap at King's door, and call out some gay greeting to him, and then they heard King splashing about, as if making his toilet in a great hurry. All this spurred the girls to dress more quickly, and it was not long before they were tying each other's hair-ribbons and buttoning each other's frocks. Then they fairly ran downstairs, and, seeing Mr. Maynard standing by the dining-room window, they both threw themselves into his arms, crying out, "Oh, Father, isn't it too bad?" "What?" asked Mr. Maynard, quizzically. [Pg 37] [Pg 38] [Pg 39] [Pg 40] "Now, Daddy," said Midget, "don't tease. Our hearts are all broken because it's raining, and we can't have our picnic." "Can't have our picnic!" exclaimed Mr. Maynard, in apparent excitement. "Can't have our picnic, indeed! Who says we can't?" "I say so!" exclaimed Kingdon, who had just entered the room. "Nobody but ducks can have a picnic to-day." "Oh, well," said Mr. Maynard, looking crestfallen, "if King says so that settles it. I think it's a beautiful picnic day, but far be it from me to obtrude my own opinions." Just here Mrs. Maynard and Rosy Posy came in. They were both smiling, and though no one expected the baby to take the disappointment very seriously, yet it did seem as if Mother might have been more sympathetic. "I suppose we can eat the ice-cream in the house," said Marjorie, who was inclined to look on the bright side if she could possibly find one. "That's the way to talk!" said her father, approvingly. "Now you try, Kingdon, to meet the situation as it should be met." "I will, sir. I'm just as disappointed as I can be, but I suppose there's no use crying over spilt milk,—I mean spilt raindrops." "That's good philosophy, my boy. Now, Kitty, what have you to say by way of cheering us all up?" "I can't see much fun in a day like this. But I hope we can have the picnic on the next Ourday." "That's a brave, cheerful spirit. Now, my sad and disheartened crew, take your seats at the breakfast table, and listen to your foolishly optimistic old father." The children half-heartedly took their places, but seemed to have no thought of eating breakfast. "Wowly-wow-wow!" said Mr. Maynard, looking around the table. "What a set of blue faces! Would it brighten you up any if I should prophesy that at dinner-time to-night you will all say it has been the best Ourday we've ever had, and that you're glad it rained?" "Oh, Father!" said Marjorie, in a tone of wondering reproach, while Kitty and King looked blankly incredulous, and Mrs. Maynard smiled mysteriously. CHAPTER IV AN OURDAY It was impossible to resist the infection of Mr. Maynard's gay good-nature, and by the time breakfast was over, the children were in their usual merry mood. Though an occasional glance out of the window brought a shadow to one face or another, it was quickly dispelled by the laughter and gaiety within. Marjorie was perhaps the most disappointed of them all, for it was her day, and she had set her heart on the picnic in the woods. But she tried to make the best of it, remembering that, after all, father would be at home all day, and that was a treat of itself. After breakfast, Mr. Maynard led the way to the living-room, followed by his half-hopeful brood. They all felt that something would be done to make up for their lost pleasure, but it didn't seem as if it could be anything very nice. Mr. Maynard looked out of the front window in silence for a moment, then suddenly he turned and faced the children. "Ladies and gentlemen," he said; "do any of you know the story of Mahomet and the mountain?" "No, sir," was the answer of every one, and Marjorie's spirits sank. She liked to hear her father tell stories sometimes, but it was a tame entertainment to take the place of a picnic, and Mahomet didn't sound like an interesting subject, anyway. Mr. Maynard's eyes twinkled. "This is the story," he began; "sit down while I tell it to you." With a little sigh Marjorie sat down on the sofa, and the others followed her example. Rosy Posy, hugging Boffin, scrambled up into a big armchair, and settled herself to listen. "It is an old story," went on Mr. Maynard, "and the point of it is that if the mountain wouldn't come to Mahomet, Mahomet must needs go to the mountain. But to-day I propose to reverse the story, and since you four sad, forlorn- looking Mahomets can't go to the picnic, why then, the picnic must come to you. And here it is!" [Pg 41] [Pg 42] [Pg 43] [Pg 44] [Pg 45] As Mr. Maynard spoke—indeed he timed his words purposely—their own carriage drove up to the front door, and, flying to the window, Marjorie saw some children getting out of it. Though bundled up in raincoats and caps, she soon recognized Gladys and Dick Fulton and Dorothy Adams. In a moment they all met in the hall, and the laughter and shouting effectually banished the last trace of disappointment from the young Maynards' faces. "Did you come for the picnic?" said Marjorie to Gladys, in amazement. "Yes; your father telephoned early this morning,—before breakfast,—and he said the picnic would be in the house instead of in the woods. And he sent the carriage for us all." "Great! Isn't it?" said Dick Fulton, as he helped his sister off with her mackintosh. "I thought there'd be no picnic, but here we are." "Here we are, indeed!" said Mr. Maynard, who was helping Dorothy Adams unwind an entangling veil, "and everybody as dry as a bone." "Yes," said Dorothy, "the storm is awful, but in your close carriage, and with all these wraps, I couldn't get wet." "Oh, isn't it fun!" cried Kitty, as she threw her arms around her dear friend, Dorothy. "Are you to stay all day?" "Yes, until six o'clock. Mr. Maynard says picnics always last until sundown." Back they all trooped to the big living-room, which presented a cheerful aspect indeed. The rainy morning being chilly, an open fire in the ample fireplace threw out a cheerful blaze and warmth. Mrs. Maynard's pleasant face smiled brightly, as she welcomed each little guest, and afterward she excused herself, saying she had some household matters to attend to and that Mr. Maynard would take charge of the "picnic." "First of all," said the host, as the children turned expectant faces toward him, "nobody is to say, 'What a pity it rained!' or anything like that. Indeed, you are not to look out at the storm at all, unless you say, 'How fortunate we are under cover!' or words to that effect." "All right, sir," said Dick Fulton, "I agree. And I think a picnic in the house will be dead loads of fun." "That's the way to talk," said Mr. Maynard, "and now the picnic will begin. The first part of it will be a nutting-party." "Oho!" laughed Marjorie. "A nutting-party in the house is 'most too much! I don't see any trees;" and she looked around in mock dismay. "Do you usually pick the nuts off of trees?" asked her father, quizzically. "You know you don't! You gather them after they have fallen. Now nuts have fallen all over this house, in every room, and all you have to do is to gather them. Each may have a basket, and see who can find the most. Scamper, now!" While Mr. Maynard was talking, Sarah, the waitress, had come in, bringing seven pretty baskets of fancy wicker-ware. One was given to each child, and off they ran in quest of nuts. "Every room, Father?" called back Marjorie, over her shoulder. "Every room," he replied, "except the kitchen. You must not go out there to bother cook. She has all she can attend to." This sounded pleasant, so Marjorie went on, only pausing for one more question. "What kind of nuts, Father?" "Gather any kind you see, my child. There was such a strong wind last night, I daresay it blew down all sorts." And truly that seemed to be the case. Shrieks of surprise and delight from the whole seven announced the discoveries they made. They found peanuts, English walnuts, pecan nuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, almonds, hickory nuts, black walnuts, and some of which they didn't know the names. The nuts were hidden in all sorts of places. Stuffed down in the cushions of chairs and sofas, on mantels and brackets, under rugs and footstools, on window sills, on the floor, on the chandeliers, they seemed to be everywhere. All over the house the children scampered, filling their baskets as they went. Sometimes two would make a dash for the same nut, and two bumped heads would ensue, but this was looked upon as part of the fun. The older children gathered their nuts from the highest places, leaving the low places for the little ones to look into. Rosy Posy found most of those on the floor, behind the lace curtains or portières, as she toddled about with her basket on one arm and Boffin in the other. At last the whole house had been pretty thoroughly ransacked, and the nutting-party returned in triumph with loaded [Pg 46] [Pg 47] [Pg 48] [Pg 49]