Judy

y, Perkins strolled

s," he announced, b

napped Judy, "any one c

ed over her

always that way when there are too many cooks. I'm

l?" asked Jud

ed six, and there are the Judge and Anne and Nanni

, sir," said Perkins.

tatement, he carried aw

ll?" questioned Judy, staring after th

ough," he said, "only he doesn't d

dubiously. "Oh, dear, what

hers," said Launcelot. "I guess you

e slightest hesitation, and hi

's tone was very humble. "What a prig

Judy went off she decided that she should like him. He was different from other boys. He was a gentleman in spite of his shabby clot

rooped to the great gray roc

ied Anne, as she came up, blissfully unconsciou

ish," she said, ecstat

n't things

d rapturously as she surveyed the table. She had never seen anything just like it. The country picnics of the neighbors always showed an amazing array of cakes and pies and chicken, but these were here, and

ish. In spite of Perkins' overplentiful border of cress and sliced lemon

ointing an accusing finger at the platter, "and

ithmetic, Amelia," he said, "we shall have to confess-we b

Judy's cheeks crept a little flush-"I-" she began, with a tremble in her voice; but Launcelot interrupted;

ess of his tone. "I should have watched the fire-it was as much my fault as yours," and with th

distracted by the laughter and fun of the others. It was not until the ice-cream was served

sh being burned," with which oracular remark, she helped he

yet she did not like Judy. It was all very well to look like a princess, but that was no reason why one should be as stiff as a poker. She hoped Anne wo

ice-box. She told it well, and in

ticulating dramatically, "and I was so hungry that it seemed too good to be true that Perkins should have provided all of those th

t in?" asked Nannie, scornfully. "It seems to

rly to her fri

pring latch," she said, "and I

hings?" asked Amelia, as she hel

ve any light

eaten them up in the

the salted almonds

Judy, "or you wouldn't have had anythi

ders in the cream or red ants in the cake. The coffee had been hot and the salads cold, and now that lu

d, cheerfully; then as a big drop splashed do

to rain, sir," he mur

flash of light and a low rumble emphasized

Amelia, and threw her

nn

aid Nannie, and gav

ts, as a sudden gust of wind picked up the ends of the tablecloth and se

the carriage, sir," said Perkins, pa

's going to be a heavy

an anxious

er barn," cried Anne, w

" said Launcelot, "t

Cutter barn?

beyond the strip of wo

hant as she led the way across the little bridge and through the fast-darkening bit of woodland. The wind fluttered he

r, and not at all breathless, then Nannie, bareheaded and with her best

ns with the horses and hampers

w dark for a moment in the heavy downpour that drenched him. There was a

to death," was Launcelot's

ne and Judy. Judy had dropped down in a white

fair little head, "and she can't get her breath. Nannie and Ameli

ed Judy, "you run on,

re of Judy, and you must not get wet," and with a prote

feet and attempted to

Launcelot, firml

here," cried poor

ot wavered no longer. Without any warning, he picked her up a

ot. Put me down." Jud

match. Launcelot p

she sobbed, as they reached

auncelot, and his lips

to do i

a pile of hay

d her dark lashes swept

e worried Anne, her tender finge

softening to a gentler key as he looked d

od they are," she thought, remorsefully, and

and the three little girls were rubbing her ha

etter?" Anne whispered;

and the color began

u to take," said Anne; "he told us to build a fire in the old stove,

ove?" asked Ju

t milk for the lambs, and once when we

wood," said Ame

"Don't you remember the boys put it there,

narrow steps, but came

e," she whispered, all th

Anne, with he

nd wan, but she was braver than the littl

y a pussy cat,

," giggle

e darkness, the crash

set her, and she shiv

look at Amelia and Judy, "it isn't

e," advised Jud

dare," sa

dare," sa

ho gathered up her courage and went to the foo

who is

lence, and then some one

n't eve

stared at

we say?" whi

wishing she were well enough

the little gir

e loft, then cautious steps, and a fi

ed, but Anne ran forward with both hands out, an

liver," she said, "is it really