Project Gutenberg's The Blue Birds' Winter Nest, by Lillian Elizabeth Roy 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: The Blue Birds' Winter Nest Author: Lillian Elizabeth Roy Release Date: December 3, 2007 [EBook #23693] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLUE BIRDS' WINTER NEST *** Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net The Blue Birds and Bobolinks were deep in the work of constructing a magazine. (Page 259) (“The Blue Birds' Winter Nest.”) THE BLUE BIRDS’ WINTER NEST By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY Author of “The Blue Birds of Happy Times Nest,” “The Blue “Birds’ Uncle Ben,” “The Blue Birds at Happy Hills,” “The Five Little Starrs Series,” “The Girl Scouts’ Country Life Series,” etc. A. L. BURT COMPANY Publishers New York Printed in U. S. A. Copyright, 1916, by THE PLATT & PECK COMPANY Printed in U. S. A. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I How Aunt Selina Flew 7 II A Sunday Walk and Its Results 26 III The Blue Birds’ Inspiration 45 IV The Bobolink Boys Founded 62 V Uncle Ben’s Business Talk 81 VI Beginning the Winter Work 96 VII Blue Bird Wisdom and Bobolink Work 114 VIII Aunt Selina’s Civil War Story 135 IX How the Yankees Took Possession 160 X Beginning to Spell Success 179 XI The Winter Nest Council 199 XII The Story of an Alaskan Trip 219 XIII A Winter in the Frozen North 238 XIV The B. B. & B. B. Magazine 259 XV How the Magazine Went Out 285 THE BLUE BIRDS’ WINTER NEST CHAPTER I HOW AUNT SELINA FLEW “Sally! I say, Sally! Come here!” cried a peevish voice, belonging to a querulous old lady who was huddled up on a couch in the bright morning room of her fine old mansion. “I’se here, Miss S’lina—comin’ straight an’ fas’ as mah laigs kin brings me!” replied a cheerful colored woman, bustling around, and moving some toast so it would not scorch. “Are you quite sure you told Abe to meet the eleven-thirty train at Greenfields station? Just fancy how dreadful it would be to have Miss Ruth get off the train and not find anyone there to meet her!” complained Miss Selina, her face twitching with pain as she raised her hands to emphasize her remark. “Laws’ee, Miss S’lina! Don’ you be ’fraid dat I han’t tended to eberyt’ing for little Miss Rufie’s welcome! Leave it to ole Sally, what likes dat chile like her own kin!” “Well, then, Sally, hurry with my toast and tea—and for goodness’ sake, don’t you bring scorched toast again! There, I can smell it burning this very minute! How many times must I tell you that I will not trust those electric toasters? The 7 8 old-fashioned coal fire is good enough for me—and it would be for you, too, if it were not for your ridiculous ideas of being progressive and having all these electric fol-de-rols put up in the house. My house, too! Think of it! A servant to order these contraptions and use them in my very own home and make me pay for them, when I prefer the ways of my forefathers.” Then utterly wearied with her long complaint, Miss Selina collapsed, and closed her eyes. Sally, the old family servant who had lived all her days with the Talmage family at Happy Hills, had been a playmate of Miss Selina’s; in fact, she had grown up with all the children of the “big house.” She smiled indulgently at her mistress’ words, as she bent over a fresh piece of toast. “Pore chile—Sally knows a heap of time is saved ’twixt ’lectricity an’ coal, an’ she’s goin’ to cleave to the bestes’ way ever foun’ yit—an’ she knows what dem old rheumaticks is a-doin’ to your temper,” soliloquized the astute servant. The toast was nicely browned, and the tea brewed perfectly, and Sally placed them on a dainty tray which she carried over to the couch. “Want I should leave you alone, or he’p you break the bread?” asked Sally, soothingly. Miss Selina opened her eyes and answered, “If I were sure you had Miss Ruth’s room all ready, and everything else as it should be, I would let you pour that tea for me; but I suppose you have neglected half your work to be in here with me.” Sally’s broad grin wrinkled the corners of her mouth, as she took the teapot and poured the fragrant beverage into a Japanese cup. At the same time her mind seemed to dwell upon a pleasant subject. “Does you ’member, Miss S’lina, de las’ time little Rufie visited us? Dat’s de time she was all full of a plan for havin’ some kin’ of a bird’s nest at home. I wonder ef she ever did fix it up?” Miss Selina forgot to find fault for a few moments, as Sally’s words caused her to remember the plan her grand-niece had talked over. “Seems to me, her mother wrote something in a letter about a Blue Bird Nest they were going to start. But I haven’t the slightest idea what it is. I should think they would build nests for robins and birds who are plentiful in our country places. Blue Birds are not very numerous in our woods.” “T’wan’t for real birds—don’ you recomember? It was jus’ de name dey was goin’ to use fer a li’l ’sociation like!” corrected Sally, as she held the plate of toast within reach of the invalid’s hand. “No, I don’t remember! How should I?—with all this pain forever tying me into knots!” mumbled Miss Selina, as a toothsome morsel of toast entered her mouth. Suddenly, the crunching of wheels on the gravel drive was heard, and Sally craned her neck to look from the window. “There goes Abe now,” she said. The same day the Blue Birds of Happy Times Nest, at Oakdale, had become “Fliers,” little Ruth Talmage, the favorite of the Nest, had received an invitation to spend a week at her Aunt Selina’s house, and Abe was now on his way to the station to meet her. Aunt Selina was an unpleasant old lady, and few of her relatives cared to visit her; so, when she had her attacks of rheumatism she generally had to spend her time on the couch with no one to amuse her. She had invited Ruth the previous Spring, and had enjoyed the little girl’s visit so much, that she had sent for her now when helpless with another attack. Of course, when the telegram came to Ruth’s home, asking the little girl to visit Aunt Selina, the Blue Birds felt sorry for her, knowing what a miserable time Ruth would have. Then, too, Ruth’s father was expected home that Saturday, and Ruth had not seen him for almost a year. Ruth, however, was willing to sacrifice her own pleasure to help Aunt Selina— as every Blue Bird tries to follow the Golden Rule—so she left her playmates Saturday morning, with promises to write every day until she returned, and they, 9 10 11 12 in turn, earnestly promised to explain to her father just why she went away the day he was expected home. Now, Happy Hills, Aunt Selina’s home, was several miles from Greenfields Station, and the country about this section of Pennsylvania was so beautiful and healthful that city people gradually settled upon estates and spent their summers there. Beautiful carriages and automobiles daily passed over the fine old road that divided Happy Hills in half. But no one had much of an opportunity to admire the place as high board fences had been built on either side of the road as far as the property fronted it. Happy Hills was an old family estate comprising more than two thousand acres, half woodland and half cultivated fields and green pastures. A spring of clear water, hidden among the rocks of the highest hill at the back of the farm, furnished plenty of water for the noisy brook that tumbled from rock to rock on the hillside, and, after splashing in and out among the trees, ran like a broad ribbon through the green meadows. The entire property was enclosed with a high fence, even the woodland being carefully hemmed in so no little children could get in to play in the brook, or pick wild berries and flowers that decayed in profusion year after year. Sally was a trusted old housekeeper who had her mistress’ confidence; Abe was her husband who had driven the Talmage coupé ever since he came North at the time of the Civil War. Miss Selina had not always been so disagreeable. She had old-fashioned pictures of herself at the age of eighteen when hoop-skirts were the fashion, and the young women wore their hair in “water-falls.” At that time a handsome young man was in love with her, but he was shot in the war, and she brooded over her loss so long that she lost all the sweetness of living. The older she grew the more disagreeable she became, until, not one of her relatives wanted to be with her, but managed to keep far from her complaining voice. And for this old lady, Ruth had waived the anticipated home coming of her dear father! Breakfast over, Sally propped Miss Selina up on the cushions and left her for a time. After wondering how long it would take Abe to drive back from the eleven- thirty train, Miss Selina started to think of something she had been pondering the last few days. What should she do with her vast estate if she died? She had never made a will, for she abhorred the idea of dying and having any strangers in her home. But she couldn’t take it with her, and she was nearing seventy years of age with all the signs of old age breaking over her defenceless head. She tried to think of someone to whom she really wanted to leave her home, but there was no one. She generally sighed at this point and dropped the unpleasant thought. To-day, however, she wondered if her nephew and his wife could be plotting to get her property by having Ruth visit whenever she was invited. This idea seemed to take hold of her, and she frowned as she made up her mind to ask Ruth questions about her mother’s intentions and opinions regarding Aunt Selina and Happy Hills. Miss Selina had been so engrossed in her thoughts that the sound of carriage wheels on the drive failed to reach her. Therefore, it was with a start of surprise that she heard the door flung open and a happy child’s voice cry: “Aunt Selina! I’m here! Are you glad to have me?” while a pair of soft little arms were gently placed about her withered old neck and fresh little lips pressed her cheek. The caress was such an unusual experience that Miss Selina forgot to wince or complain, and before she did remember, Ruth was bubbling over with news. “What do you think is to happen to-day?—Oh! Aunt Selina, we all have new names at home; even mother is now called Mother Wings and I am Fluff. The other Blue Birds have names they chose for themselves, and Ned is an Owl, and prints our weekly paper called the Chirp. Now, instead of Aunt Selina, I want to call you a bird-name, too. May I?” Aunt Selina smiled sympathetically at Ruth’s words, but, recalled to her 12 13 14 15 condition by a twinge of pain, she moaned, “Child, poor old Aunt Selina would make a wretched specimen of a bird nowadays. The only kind I feel that I could represent truly is a raven—for it always croaks.” Ruth laughed consolingly, but cried, “Oh, Aunt Selina, that is just because you feel blue with those old rheumatics. Mother says we always look at life through dark spectacles when we’re in pain, and we b’lieve the lovely world has lost all its brightness. Now, I’ve come to make you forget your blues and I must have a new name to say, because there is so much to tell you that I would lose time if I had to say ‘Aunt Selina’ every time. Besides, a new name will make you forget yourself.” “What could you call me?” questioned her aunt, trying to fall in with the child’s whim. “We’ll have to think! It isn’t as easy as it may sound to find a name to suit. We had a dreadful hard time to do it.” “‘Fluff’ suits you beautifully. Who found it?” said the old lady interestedly. “I chose two, but we can only have one. One was ‘Flutey’ the other ‘Fluff’; Ned and the Blue Birds liked ‘Fluff’ best, and they have called me by that name ever since we were christened in the Nest.” “When I was a little girl like you I used to enjoy whistling about the place so much that father called me his little flute. I can still see the shocked expression of my aunt who visited us, when she heard me running about whistling like a boy. She was a grand dame of society in New York, and her girls were doing embroidery and being taught how to curtsey and behave in the drawing-room.” And Miss Selina smiled at Ruth who fully understood the remark and clapped her hands delightedly at her aunt who had been a hoyden so long ago. “I just love to whistle, too. Ned says I can pipe higher and carry a tune better than anyone he knows!” declared Ruth, and aunt and grand-niece felt a common bond of unity. Ruth was about to demonstrate her accomplishment to Aunt Selina, when her face puckered into a funny expression and her shoulders hunched up about her ears as they usually did when some secret thought gave her a surprise. She leaned over the couch and confidentially whispered, “Aunt Selina, I’ll tell you what! We both love to whistle, don’t we? Then, you shall be christened with my other name! You shall be ‘Flutey,’ eh?” “Oh, dear child, it would be sarcasm to name me that now! Why, the only claim I have to that name would be because of my fluted skin. Just look at my neck and face!” said Aunt Selina. “No such thing!” retorted Ruth. “I never saw any flutes on your face until this very minute when you made me see some little wrinkles. Your skin is soft and white, so don’t you ever tell folks what you said to me, ’cause they won’t see anything but a nice face.” Of course, Aunt Selina felt elated to hear such comforting words, but Ruth gave her no time to meditate. “Do you like the name I, as your god-mother, give you?” laughed the merry little girl. “Yes, indeed, it is fine, but we must keep it a secret. Just fancy Sally or Abe, or any of the servants, calling me ‘Miss Flutey!’” And Aunt Selina laughed aloud just as the door opened and Sally popped her head through the aperture. Seeing the happy faces and hearing the unusual laughter, she immediately closed the door, without having been seen or heard. Out in the wide hall she lifted both arms high toward the ceiling and rolled her eyes devoutly upward as she murmured, “Praise be to the Lud, dat dat little tree is come wif healin’ in its leaves.” After this strange remark, Sally hurried out to tell Abe of the miracle. Aunt Selina, in spite of her age, felt a childish delight in having a secret with Ruth, and after a few moments said, “I shall have to call you Fluff, and you must call me Flutey, I suppose, if we are to belong to the same Nest.” “Yes, that’s the way,” replied Ruth, clapping her hands softly. “Now, let me tell you all the wonderful things we did this summer.” Then began a recital of how the Blue Birds of Happy Times Nest started; about 16 17 18 19 each member and her name; the nest in the old cherry-tree; how they had earned money to bring some poor children from the city to spend the hot weeks in the country; and, best of all, how they had interested all of the citizens of Oakdale in helping a hundred poor city children to spend a few weeks in the beautiful village of Oakdale. At this moment a loud knock at the door caused Aunt Selina to sit up and call out, “Come in!” “Shall you hab lunch in de dinin’ room, or serbed here?” said Sally. “Lunch! Why, is it time—is it one o’clock?” gasped Miss Selina. “Ya’as’m—pas dat hour, too,” replied Sally, smiling broadly at Ruth, who returned the good-natured feeling. “Well, well; I feel much better, Sally,” admitted Aunt Selina. “Nothing like having young folks around when one feels blue, eh? I guess you’d better bring the lunch tray here, and Miss Ruth and I will picnic this noon.” In a few moments the waitress brought in a huge tray while Sally followed with a folding table which she placed by the side of the couch. A joysome hour passed in “picnicking” the lunch, then Sally rang for the maid to remove the dishes. After she had gone, Sally turned to her mistress and, with the familiarity of an old servant, said, “Miss Rufie shore is de bestes tonic you ebber took. You’se et more lunch, Miss Selina, dan I’se seen yo’ et in six mont!” Then whisking a few tiny crumbs from the couch afghan, Sally gathered up the doilies and went out, smiling contentedly. That afternoon worked a remarkable change in Aunt Selina. She forgot all about herself and her misery while listening to her grand-niece’s story of sacrifice for others. She listened attentively to every word, until Ruth concluded with the words, “Now, we are planning some great work for our winter nest, but we don’t know just what we will choose.” So impressed was Aunt Selina with the movement started by the New York Organization, that she determined to help the cause in every way she could. In the evening with the help of a cane and Sally, Aunt Selina managed to reach the dining-room for dinner. “For,” said she, “it is a shame to keep Ruth cooped up in my morning room all day long.” During dinner she marveled at the improvement in her physical condition and worried lest her ailments return suddenly. But Ruth reassured her. “No, indeed, Flutey, we have so much to do and plan while I am here, that you won’t have time to think of getting sick again.” Aunt Selina looked dumbfounded for a moment. “Ruth, do you suppose that’s what ails me—nothing to do but think of myself all of the time?” said she. “Flutey, not only with you, but with lots of folks!” replied Ruth, wisely. “You see, anyone who is busy and has something to do all the time never gets sick, because they haven’t time to worry ’bout themselves if they feel a bit of pain. Why, this summer I saw lots of beginnings of sickness stopped just because everyone had to get through their work for the city children. Even me: when mother told me that father—oh, oh—oh!” and Ruth doubled over her plate and giggled immoderately. “Now what ails you, child?” inquired Aunt Selina, smiling in sympathy with her guest’s merry laugh. “Oh, Aunt Selina, this goes to prove what I just said! Here I have been with you all day, so full of the story of our Nest and all we did, that I forgot to feel sorry for myself. Why, think of it! Father is expected home to-night, and I’m not there! When your telegram came asking me to come here, and mother told me father was expected the same day, I felt dreadfully bad about it, but mother said I might help the winter nest a great deal by coming to show you how to fly, so I really made up my mind not to feel sorry about not seeing father. And here I am 20 21 22 23 all this time, forgetting my disappointment about leaving home to-day, and now, laughing over it. Don’t you see?” Aunt Selina nodded her head comprehendingly as she said, “Yes, I see! Yes, I see what has been my undoing all these years. Child, you have done something for me that all my years have failed in showing me. God bless you, Ruth, for coming, and when I tell your father about it he will be proud of his little Blue Bird that brought such peace to me.” As she concluded, Aunt Selina’s eyes were brimful of tears, but they were tears of gratitude, and such tears always wash away much of our stubborn selfishness. Sally hovered about the table to be on hand to assist her querulous mistress if necessary and she, too, felt the effect of Ruth’s words and silently praised God for the blessing. After Aunt Selina and Ruth were comfortably seated in the soft easy-chairs of the former’s bedroom, Ruth asked permission to write the letters she had promised the Blue Birds at home. Aunt Selina nodded cheerfully, and sat watching the little girl write until her eyelids drowsed slowly over her eyes. The first and most important letter was written to Ruth’s dear father and mother. The next to Ned, and the third to all of the Blue Birds of Happy Times Nest. Here, she wrote as she pleased and told them about her trip, how interested Aunt Selina seemed to be, about the secret name she had given the new Blue Bird and all of the fine things Aunt Selina was going to do just as soon as plans could be talked over. As the letter drew to a close, Ruth begged her friends to write every day and not undertake any important work until she came home. The last letter took a long time to write and Aunt Selina was fully awake before Ruth had finished. “Laws, Child! Do you know the time? What would your mother say if she knew I kept her daughter out of bed until after nine o’clock? If the letters are finished you must go straight to your room.” And Aunt Selina rang for Sally. That night as Ruth slept soundly, Aunt Selina lay thinking over all her grand- niece had told her. As she thought of all her wasted years and of all the wonderful good she might have done with her leisure time and wealth, she turned her face to the wall and shed bitter tears of regret. Then recalling Ruth’s advice to fill her mind with something good and helpful, the old lady vowed to pick up the frayed ends of her life and ask Ruth how to use her money and time to create some lasting good for others. As she smiled contentedly over the idea of her grand-niece of tender years advising and helping her, an old lady of three score and ten, the Bible text flashed into her mind—“And a little child shall lead them.” Then Aunt Selina fell into a restful, health-giving sleep such as she had not had in years. CHAPTER II A SUNDAY WALK AND ITS RESULTS Ruth was out-of-doors early the following morning, enjoying the sweet, crisp breeze with its odor of dew-laden meadows. After sniffing delightedly for a few moments, she skipped up and down the long veranda, calling to the birds and snapping her fingers at some curious squirrels. Sally heard the joyous child and came out to bid her a good-morning. 24 25 “Sally, what a beautiful farm Aunt Selina has! It looks lovelier this morning than ever, but it makes me sad when I think that no one can enjoy it except the folks that live here,” said Ruth, in a tone of regret. “Ya’as, Chile, I feels sorry dat Miss S’lina had dem high board fences put up to keep anjoyin’ eyes from de propaty. An’ den agin, I kin s’cuse de little chillern dat sneak fru de back fences jus’ to pick wilets an’ paddle in de brok up dere;” and Sally looked toward the inviting woodland, whence came the sound of running water. “If Aunt Selina is to be a really truly Blue Bird she will remove whatever keeps others from enjoying what she has,” commented Ruth, seriously. A bell, tinkling from an upper room, summoned Sally hurriedly indoors, so Ruth sat down in a large wicker rocker to await her aunt’s coming. Sally soon came and told Ruth breakfast was ready and there sat Miss Selina welcoming her with a cheery smile! “Do you feel as happy and free as a Blue Bird, Flutey?” asked Ruth, giving Aunt Selina a hearty embrace. Unaccustomed to such healthy demonstrations of affection, she suffered her lace cap to be pulled over one ear while her other was uncomfortably doubled under Ruth’s plump little arm. “Yes, Fluff, I feel unusually well this morning. I slept like a babe all night,” replied her aunt. “That’s the way all Blue Birds sleep. Not one of us would stay in bed a minute just because something tried to make us feel too tired or sick to get up early in the morning! You know, the Camp Fire Girls receive honors for keeping free from illness, and some day the Blue Birds expect to join the bigger girls in their Camp Fires. So we begin to practice good health now,” explained Ruth. The breakfast passed quickly with not a sound or sigh from Aunt Selina about rheumatism. Sally was the most astonished of all, for it had become second nature with her mistress to talk about her pains and woes at all times. “While I was waiting on the piazza, this morning, I planned to take you for a nice long walk,” said Ruth. “Why, my dear, I simply cannot walk out of doors. I could hardly hobble about the house this morning.” “Oh, I s’pose you couldn’t walk very well, but I can walk and you can ride in the wheel-chair. I will push it, and we will go down the meadow path toward the summer-house,” said Ruth. Aunt Selina looked dubiously at Sally, but the latter was very busy placing some of the family silver in the chest, and her back was turned. After a few moments’ hesitation she said, “I never take that chair off of the porch, and I am afraid you are too little to push it.” “Oh, no, indeed I’m not. It won’t hurt the chair, and even if it did, your pleasure just now is better than ten chairs!” decided Ruth. After several weak attempts to turn Ruth from her purpose, Aunt Selina surrendered with a sigh. As Sally left the room just then she chuckled to herself, “Dat chile will shorely ’juvenate Miss S’lina!” After breakfast aunt and grand-niece went out on the veranda and Ruth soon had the chair down the steps and waiting for her aunt. Aunt Selina felt a bit conscious at being wheeled like a baby, but Ruth was too merry to permit anything but joy to prevail. Ruth turned the chair into a path that ran along the brook, and chatted merrily until Aunt Selina forgot herself in listening. At the end of the path stood a rustic summer-house from which could be seen the wide expanse of meadow and woodland. Having reached this spot, Ruth placed the chair so her aunt could look about and admire her beautiful lands. “Flutey, don’t you ever go to church on Sunday mornings?” asked Ruth. 27 28 29 “The only church is so far away that I would have to drive for half an hour to reach it; then, too, it is not a denomination that I approve of,” she replied, coolly. But a little thing like a cold reply or a curt tone never daunted Ruth when she was after any particular information. “What is the difference between one denomination and another? I don’t exactly know the meaning of that word, but I know it means something about churches.” “Well, some churches believe in worshipping God one way and some in another. These different beliefs are called ‘denominations.’ Now, all of our family were brought up to believe the Baptist manner of worship to be the only true one, and this church at Greenfields is Presbyterian. Of course, everyone knows that pre-destination is all wrong,” said Aunt Selina emphatically. Ruth’s eyes opened wider and wider as she listened, for she had been taught a very simple faith. She had been told that to live and follow the “Golden Rule” was the highest form of obedience, and that it was true worship. So she answered quietly: “I love Jesus, and I believe he taught everyone the same way, and I believe he just loved everybody the same way.” “We will not discuss religion, Ruth. Just keep on thinking and doing as Mother has taught you.” “Well, I was only going to say, that as we cannot go to church such a lovely morning, we might sit here and thank God for all these fields,” explained Ruth. Aunt Selina looked about the land in the light of a new revelation. “I was thinking,” continued Ruth, “how I should love to have this farm near Oakdale. I could come over so often to tell you what we are doing, and then, too, you could use all of that wonderful woodland for Blue Birds’ Camps in the summer.” Aunt Selina looked across the fields and woods but said nothing, so Ruth continued. “When the two Ferris children came out to Mrs. Mason’s farm, they were so happy to see real flowers and grass that they soon got well and strong. That made me wish that I had hundreds of farms just like it where sick children could go and get well. That was one thing that made the Oakdale folks help get the hundred city poor children out to our country for a few weeks in August and the lovely time the children had made everyone wish to do bigger things this next summer. Nothing has really been planned yet, but everyone is trying to think of some way to do something. This morning when I saw this wonderful farm and so few folks to live on it, I just wished it was near Oakdale so a big crowd of poor children could enjoy it next summer.” As Ruth concluded and looked wistfully over the fertile land, her aunt sat thinking for a time, then answered. “Fluff, I determined to be a Blue Bird with all of my heart and soul. Now, we can’t move this farm over to Oakdale, but the city children can be moved out to this farm! You can do the planning from Oakdale, and I can look after them when they get here.” Ruth gasped in amazement at the splendid idea, then jumped up and down with delight while she shouted aloud. “Oh, oh! Flutey! that is great! Why, just think of all the streets full of poor children who can enjoy these wonderful woods!” Aunt Selina winced at the word “street children,” but she spoke with determination. “I suppose we would have to build some sort of little houses, or temporary camps for them to sleep in, and a long shed in which to serve the meals. It will need a lot of planning.” “Dear me, I wish we could run and ask mother about it,” murmured Ruth, impatiently. “Now, if you were only visiting me instead of me being here with you!” 30 31 32 33 “If I had gone to you, you might never have had the idea of using these woods for the children,” ventured her aunt. “No, that’s so,” admitted Ruth. “And we can go back to the house and write all our plans down on paper and send them to mother, can’t we?” Aunt Selina consenting, Ruth wheeled the chair back to the house. When they reached the steps the invalid felt so strong that she lifted herself out of the chair and climbed up the low steps with only Ruth to lean upon. “Why, I never felt a twinge in my joints all this time! I never knew rheumatism to disappear so quickly as it has this time,” she said, as she sank down in a low chair. “Let’s hope it won’t come back again,” added Ruth. “If it stays away you could pack up and go to Oakdale with me, couldn’t you?” Aunt Selina, who never visited and seldom left her home, looked horrified for a moment. But Ruth continued innocently, “We could get all of mother’s advice for the farm plans besides seeing father and being home with him!” Sally, who had seen Miss Selina coming up the steps without a cane, thought some miracle had been performed. So, wishing to hear all about it, she hurried out with the announcement that dinner was almost ready. “Dinner! Why, Sally, we just finished breakfast. I’m sure I don’t want anything to eat so soon,” replied Miss Selina. “It’s pas’ one o’clock, Miss S’lina, an’ you allus likes de meals to be on time,” ventured Sally. “I’m sure I feel as if it was dinner time, ’cause I’m so hungry,” added Ruth, who always had a healthy appetite. Aunt Selina laughed indulgently as she rose and limped slowly indoors. Immediately after dinner Ruth hurried to the library and brought forth a pencil and paper. Meeting her aunt in the hall she said, “Now, we’ll sit down and put all of our plans on paper.” The greater part of the afternoon was passed in this engrossing work. That night Aunt Selina again sought her bed with a great sense of gratitude that she could enjoy the rest without any pain. She slept all through the night and awoke in the morning feeling strong and energetic. Almost every trace of her lameness had disappeared. The mail lay upon a silver tray beside her plate, and she smiled as she handed two letters to Ruth. “May I read them, Flutey?” asked Ruth, as soon as she had peeped at the post marks. Aunt Selina nodded, and Ruth tore open the one from the Blue Birds first, saying in an explanatory tone, “I like to leave the best for the last.” The Blue Birds had written her because they promised to do so, but there had not been time for anything of importance to happen, so Ruth laid aside their short note and took up her mother’s letter. The first sentence made her gasp, and at the second, she giggled outright. Aunt Selina waited patiently to hear the news. “Just think, Flutey, I didn’t miss father, anyway—and just see all we have accomplished by my coming here to you! Mother writes that she had a telegram from father late Saturday night, saying the steamer was detained at quarantine on account of some suspects in the steerage who seemed to have symptoms of yellow fever. He is not sure when they will get off, but he will wire mother each day they are detained.” Aunt Selina nodded understandingly, and Ruth continued: “Wish you and I could be there to welcome father when he comes! Flutey, you are so well this morning, don’t you think you could go with me in our automobile, if we traveled very carefully?” Her aunt was so aghast at the proposition that she failed to answer, and Ruth continued, believing that she was thinking it over. 34 35 36 “You see, Flutey, we really need to get to the Blue Birds and mother to talk over this fine farm plan, and I am sure the visit will do you a heap of good, for I have heard folks say that a change is a great thing when you have been sick and tired of the same things about you.” Still Aunt Selina said not a word, so Ruth returned to her letter to read it aloud. As she did so, her aunt sent a covert glance at Sally’s direction to see what effect Ruth’s invitation had had upon the old servant. But Sally, the wise, appeared not to have overheard a word. Later, as Ruth stood beside her aunt’s rocker on the veranda, she again broached the subject. “Flutey, the air is so warm and balmy like it always is in Indian summer, and our car is so comfy, you wouldn’t know but what you were in an easy chair. I don’t see why you can’t come home with me.” “Fluff, do you know, that I could almost say ‘Yes, I will go,’ for I think I would like to see all of your little friends, but I really wouldn’t know what to do with the house if I went away on a visit,” said Aunt Selina. “Goodness me! The house won’t run away. What does it do when you are sick in bed and can’t walk about to look after it? It can go on just the same when you are in Oakdale as when you are in bed,” replied practical Ruth. Never before had Aunt Selina been brought face to face with the fact that Sally was the actual manager. She began to feel a certain resentment against her faithful old servant, and then she thought what a relief it was to have someone upon whom she could depend. “I never did ride in one of those machines, dearie. I have said that I never would. I always use my victoria, or coupé,” she observed. “You never rode in an automobile! Why, Flutey, you have the treat of your life waiting, then,” exclaimed Ruth, surprised. “It only goes to show how careful we should be about saying things we are not sure of; now, you see, you are going to ride in an auto and so prove to yourself that you were wrong.” Ruth took for granted that the visit and method of traveling had been decided upon, and, after some more futile excuses, Aunt Selina was won over to considering going the next day if it were clear. “But the sky looks cloudy, Fluff, and your mother may not spare the car to- morrow,” she objected, making a last brave stand against the persistent little girl. “Oh, no, those clouds are not rain clouds—they are wind and mother would borrow Mrs. Catlin’s car if she had to go anywhere rather than disappoint me by not sending Ike with ours,” replied Ruth, very certain of her mother’s loving coöperation. “Well, I shall have to break the news to Sally and see if she can spare me for a few days,” sighed her aunt, tingling with anticipation at the unusual event, but loath to forego the hope that her presence was necessary at home. “I’ll run and ask her to come here at once, so we can telegraph mother about the car,” said Ruth, as she ran to call Sally. One never had to go far to find Sally, for wherever Miss Selina was, there would Sally be found hovering about, also. Ruth caught hold of the plump brown hand and dragged her out to the piazza. When the important question was put before her, Sally was diplomatic enough to stand considering whether the household could possibly be managed without the mistress. After some time, she said, “If it t’want dat dis wisit is jus’ what you need to put you on yer feet, I would say, ‘I don’ see how we’all kin manage.’ But, seein’ dat all de fruit is dun up an’ de fall house-cleanin’ not yet due, I adwise you to be shore an’ go an’ fin’ healin’ in de change of air.” Aunt Selina was so pleased at Sally’s answer that she told her to help Ruth telegraph at once for the car. Sally bowed and hurried away to the telephone where the message was sent to Greenfields to be wired to Mrs. Talmage. The rest of the day was spent in pleasant excitement, with Ruth and her aunt wondering what to pack in the small steamer trunk, while the whole household 37 38 39 40 felt the unusual stir of their mistress’ going away for a visit. That evening an answering telegram came saying that Ike would leave Oakdale at dawn in the morning so as to get to Happy Hills by noon. If they were ready to start back at once they could arrive at Mossy Glen before night set in. Ruth was so joyous over the happy termination of her visit that she could hardly stand still long enough for Sally to tie her hair ribbon. As for Aunt Selina, she looked from her bedroom windows before retiring, anxiously scanning the sky for any possible rain clouds. She felt as excited as a child over its first journey away from home. Seeing the sky a deep blue with myriads of stars gleaming down at her, she smiled and turned out the light. Ike arrived earlier than expected, for he made record time from Oakdale. “Ike, do the Blue Birds know I’m coming?” she asked. “Sure thing, Miss Ruth,” replied Ike. “And Ned—did he miss me?” queried the little girl. “Master Ned, he went ’round like a bear wid a sore head. He was just lost without the head of the Blue Birds,” grinned Ike. “And mother—and Ike, father? Did father wonder why I left without seeing him,” half-whispered Ruth. Ike dropped his wrench and stood up. “Why, Miss Ruth, I forgot to tell you! Mr. Ta’mage ain’t home yet. A wire came late last night saying he expected to get off the boat to-day, so they are looking for him this noon.” “Oh, oh, Ike! how could you keep such grand news from me all this time!” exclaimed Ruth, racing indoors to tell her aunt. When Ike said he was ready to start, Aunt Selina and Ruth were helped to the comfortable seat and robes were tucked in about them, while the servants stood in a semi-circle about the car, smiling and nodding good-byes. Ike honked the siren for the benefit of the servants, then started the easy- running machine. Aunt Selina felt so very comfortable that she admitted the fact to Ruth. “I never knew these cars were so easy-riding.” After passing a stretch of bad road Ike put on more speed and Aunt Selina leaned forward to admonish him. “Don’t go fast enough to be dangerous! Are we going about eight miles an hour?” Ike smiled to himself as he heard the question. “We’re travelin’ a bit more than eight, ma’am. I s’pose you are ’customed to that speed from drivin’ horses?” “Yes, that’s it. I never like to go faster than that rate, but you are not going too fast, yet. Be sure to slow up going around corners—we might run into someone,” she returned, settling herself comfortably back in the robes. Ike promised to be most careful, but dared not hint at the actual speed they were traveling, and would have to keep up, to enable them to reach Oakdale before night. With the sun shining brightly, and the beautiful autumn coloring in the foliage, the journey was most enjoyable. About six o’clock the car reached Mason’s farm and Ruth told her aunt that there the first little city children lived all summer. Next, the car passed Betty’s home, but no one was in sight, although Ruth watched for Betty to appear. Mrs. Catlin’s beautiful home on the hill was pointed out to the interested old lady, and then Ike turned off of the main road and drove along the woodland road that ran by the swimming pool. Ruth told all about it, and hoped the Nest in the cherry-tree could be seen in the twilight. Ike stopped under the old tree and Ruth spied all of the Blue Birds in the Nest. She jumped out to greet them and they ran down the steps to crowd about her. 41 42 43 Aunt Selina was introduced and received a quaint little curtsey from each child. Then the children said good-night and Ike drove on to the house. There, on the lower step, stood the long-looked-for father, and the moment Ruth saw him, she gave a cry of joy. Mrs. Talmage and Ned stood back in the shadow to enjoy Ruth’s first sight of her father. After the greetings were over, Aunt Selina was made to feel quite at home in the cheery library until dinner was announced. The travelers were too tired to dress for dinner, so they were soon seated about the table and the conversation naturally turned to Blue Bird talk. Ruth went to bed soon after dinner, for the day had been tiresome, and Aunt Selina also felt the need of rest. She admitted that she enjoyed the trip very much, but her old bones felt the strain of the long day. CHAPTER III THE BLUE BIRDS’ INSPIRATION School was to re-open on Thursday, and the Blue Birds had but one day more of vacation in which to meet and plan for the Winter Nest. Of course, they could meet after school, or Saturdays, but it seemed more like a meeting to be able to have the whole day for planning. By nine o’clock on Wednesday, therefore, they gathered in their Nest while Mrs. Talmage entertained Aunt Selina on the veranda with past doings of the children. Mr. Talmage had to go to the city, and he said that Uncle Ben might come back with him for a few days’ visit. Uncle Ben was his only brother, the one who had given Ned the printing outfit for a Christmas gift. Ruth told the Blue Birds all about Happy Hills and Aunt Selina’s plan for the city children. “Now, how shall we manage to find the children that will need the country next summer?” asked Ruth. “Did your aunt say who would look after so many children?” asked Norma. “No, that is one of the things we shall have to talk over. We only got as far as deciding that the farm was great!” said Ruth. “Indeed, it is a fine offer,” said several little girls. “I think we will have to get the opinion of the grown-ups about the whole plan,” ventured Betty. “Mrs. Talmage and Miss Selina are on the porch now—let’s run over and ask them what they have thought of,” suggested Edith. As the others were of the same mind the Nest was deserted. Upon reaching the veranda, the Blue Birds were pleased to see that Mrs. Catlin was sitting there with the other ladies. As Mrs. Catlin was a powerful ally, she was always welcome when planning was to be done. While the group on the piazza was deeply concerned talking over winter work and next summer’s plans, Ned came out of the house and went down the woodland path toward the Starrs’ home. Meredith Starr and his chum, Jinks, were under an old apple-tree in the garden orchard, and Ned joined them. “Aunt Selina’s at the house, and what do you think?” 44 46 47 Meredith and Jinks shook their heads and Ned continued solemnly, “She’s given Happy Hills to the Blue Birds for their poor children next summer.” “She has! My goodness, but they will have more than they can look after if they ever accepted such a place,” cried Jinks. “Oh, they accepted it, all right! They’re just crazy about it. But the grown-ups will have to help it along. I suppose they’ll have to have so much printing done that we’ll be out of it after this winter,” complained Ned. “If you think that why can’t we have some organization of our own?” asked Meredith. “Yes! why wait to be invited out of the way by the Blue Birds? Get some club of our own going, and surprise them if they find us in the way,” added Jinks. “Oh, it takes a grown-up to help along such things?” objected Ned. “Why, where do you suppose these girls would have been if it hadn’t been for mother’s ideas and help?” “I guess you’re right,” admitted the other boys, rolling over in the grass again, whence they had popped up their heads at Meredith’s suggestion. After a few moments’ silence, however, Meredith sat up again and said tenaciously: “I don’t see why we can’t! Daddum would help us with his advice and your father, too, Ned. Jinks hasn’t any grown-ups, but he can get some of the fathers of the Blue Birds interested in us.” “What could we do, or where would we start?” asked Ned. “Well, first of all, don’t let’s call it ‘The Owls!’ That name may be all right for the editor of a paper, but I don’t like it for a club,” complained Meredith. “We need a name that will sound so respectable that every mother will consent to having her boy join us,” said Ned. “We might call it ‘Junior Boy Scouts,’” suggested Jinks. “Then everyone’ll expect us to do just as the Boy Scouts do, and the fact is we won’t! We will have a sort of club for boys under twelve for the purpose of having a nice time, and helping them with their work or suggesting plans for outdoor sports,” said Ned. “If we could think of some name that would appeal to the mothers who are so interested in the Blue Birds!” said Jinks. After many names had been laughed down, Meredith said, “Why not call ourselves ‘The B. B. Club.’ Everyone likes a secret society and the mothers can believe we are so fond of the Blue Birds that we wanted to keep their name for ourselves.” “Oh, but they will think we had to steal their name for want of finding one for ourselves,” scorned Ned. “Well, if you can find anything better, tell it!” exclaimed Meredith, vexed at his friend’s laughter. Just then, Jim, the handy man about Oakwood, joined the boys. He saw some signs of trouble and asked what they were doing. Ned explained about Miss Selina and the Blue Birds, and his plan for the younger boys. Jim pondered for a few moments and then muttered, “Is there any bird you know that goes by those same initials—‘B. B.’?” Ned thought rapidly for a few minutes, then said, “Blue Jay, no, not that—Black Bird!” “Bull Finch!” replied Jinks, laughing. “Neither! What bird whistles like this?” and Jim imitated so naturally the notes of the Bobolink that the boys knew. “Ho! Bobolink, eh?” shouted Ned, slapping Jim on the back. “Where would the ‘B. B.’ come in on that?” asked Jinks. “Would you divide it like ‘Bo-Bolink’?” asked Meredith. “Sure not! Just plain ‘Bobolink Boys’ to offset the Blue Bird Girls,” answered Jim, as he rose to go on toward the barns. 48 49 50 “Hurrah, Jim! I think you’re a life-saver,” cried Ned. “Three cheers for the god-father of the Bobolink Boys!” shouted Jinks, while the others cheered Jim. “There’s Don and another little chap—try the name on them and see what they say,” suggested Jim, pointing toward the front driveway where two boys of about ten years could be seen. “That’s right. We’ll see what they think of it all,” returned Meredith, rising to whistle through his fingers to attract the boys’ attention. Immediately upon hearing the shrill call from his brother, Don turned in the direction of the apple orchard. As the two lads ran up, Ned constituted himself chief counsel. “Don, how old are you?” was the first question. “Nine, goin’ on ten. Why?” answered Don. “How old is your friend?” was the next question. “I’m ten next month,” replied the little fellow. “What’s your name?” asked Ned. “Tuck. That is what everyone calls me, but the name they gave me when I was too little to know better, was awful—it’s Reuben Wales. Just because my great grandfather had it, they made me take it, too.” And poor little Tuck felt very much abused. “Never mind, Tuck,” laughed Ned, while the other boys rolled over in the grass to smother their laughter. “I don’t most of the time, but when someone has to know the real end of my name, I feel dreadful about it.” “Well, Tuck, we are planning a club for you boys and you can choose a new name if you join,” consoled Jinks. “What’s the game, Jinks?” asked Don, eagerly. “We hope to form an organization for boys under twelve to be known as Bobolink Boys,” explained Meredith. “What for—to build nests and then sew doll clothes, or make paper furniture?” growled Don, who had been greatly offended to think that his twin sister Dot would leave him for the Blue Birds. The older boys who understood his attitude and its cause, laughed, but Meredith explained more fully. “Just for the sake of having fine times and getting something going for the boys so the girls won’t run the whole town. If we start a movement called Bobolinks we can demand help from the grown-ups just as the girls have done. We can manage to do something as big as the Blue Birds ever did, besides having our outings and games at a club-room.” “That sounds fine,” ventured Tuck. “Fine! Why, there’s my hand on it, Mete!” declared Don, as he thrust a grimy little hand under his brother’s nose. Ned and Jinks laughed as Meredith looked doubtfully at Don’s hand before accepting it as a pledge. “What’ll we do first?” asked Don, eager to begin. “Tuck and you must ask as many nice boys as you know if they would like to join a club, and tell them what for,” replied Ned. “How many can we ask?” questioned Tuck. “Oh, about thirty, I guess. I can take charge of one Nest, Jinks of another, and Mete of another,” said Ned. “All right, we’re in for it,” cried Don. “We’ll report to-morrow afternoon—where?” asked Tuck. “Better say at Jim’s cottage—up by the barn.” 51 52 53