Pine Needles

s were comin

all the favourite out-door amusements and occupations of the family. Summer was the proper time for company, and the house had been filled till the end of September. Then Mrs. Candlish declared she was tired and must run away, or she would be obliged to entertain people till November; and she joined her husband in a trip to Californi

if Meredith and Flora heard what mam

Meredith too much affection engaged, to be over scrupulous. So they came, and were welcomed, I was going to say, uproariousl

ver plans and means. Nothing could be settled after all till the guests came. And when they came, the whole first evening was spent in joy

, clasping his hand, while her eyes look

autiful place I ev

," said Maggie gleefully.

be out o

f doors," said Maggie;

od-if you ask me. I do

u are at Mosswood you have the hills and the river and all, bes

answered smiling. "That

Suppose we go out and h

y it was a c

h, to carry our dinner, and whatever we want; and-Oh, it's nice! it's nice!" exclaimed Maggie, jumping

one thing,"

t's

Mur

n! I'll wr

very one put in something.

ng she took another flat step. On her toes, was the only way that her spirits could go. The fi

fornia. We are going out in the woods to dinner; and we all want you. Do please com

ggi

sther

you very much. Fenton is coming, and I am afraid

the

n F

glad to see Mr. Murray. I am s

a Fra

Mere

than everybody else, it does seem to me that I want to see you more than any of the rest can-because I have so many ques

ith Fr

the paper, to add a word that nobody

ctful to Meredith and Flora that they should be here with nobody but just us. Don't you think so? But if

ggi

hes for Leeds got ready, it was time to see about making prepa

e old

Happy

the Look

t's keep that for Uncle

Pla

ng, "and I do not wonder. Let me help you. Suppose we go up on

e, and you look down the river, and it's shady and nice. It's just lovely! That is be

" said

a book, too, I suppose; we always take books and work, and then we talk; but once when we t

e help you?" said Meredith. "And, wh

had it out this year yet, you know. Ditto, maybe

Mr. Fa

here somewhere. Esther and I

rn when I see him," said Meredi

Esther and Maggie and Flora were busily packing "thing

et something or other, and then somebody has to go back for it. Now,

tea?" sai

ways have tea in the woo

e to boil t

of c

Well, tea is very good in the woods,

orgotten the sugar,

n't forget the sa

to-day; we have noth

we h

cold ham, and bread, and

"and give me a few eggs, and I

omelet! Wha

shall want a dish to

in the cart. A light porter's cart, it was; roomy enough; and yet it grew pretty full. The tea-kettle must find a place; then books and knitting and paper. Then thick shawls to spread upon the rocks, to make softer seats for the more ease-loving. Fairbairn carried a tin pail with w

top it also showed granite in quantity, there, however, alternating with moss and thin grass, and overshadowed by cedars, oaks, and pines, with now and then a young hemlock. The soil was thin; the growth of trees in consequence not lofty; nevertheless, very graceful. No cultivation, hardly any dressing, had been attempted;

of acheranthus and cineraria which made warm strips of bordering, with scarlet pelargoniums lighting up the beds beyond in a blaze of brilliance. Turning then into a carriage road, t

at carefully, however, to avoid severe jolts which would have

aid Maggie. "Look out, Ditto, here's a rock in your

ill, the ground fell steeply away; so steeply that the eye had unhindered range over the river which lay below, and the hills bordering it, and the point of Gee's Point w

Maggie wistfully. Her opinion of M

er seen suc

nd trees that were in the way of the view; for he wanted to lie in his tent at

g that the platform where he stood was held up on the side t

dred years ago, Meredith. Soldiers laid it; our soldi

mean by 'ou

ere fighting that war, a hundred years ago. You

storical. Now, what are we to do first? I move, we ma

's side on the moss and laid her little hand in his, and for a little while they were all quiet; these last two enjoying October. But Meredith did not long sit still; he must go exploring, up and down and all round the South Pitch. Maggie followed him, as ready to go as he, and talking all the while. It was nothing but rocks and moss and trees and bramb