Marjorie's Busy Days

th Mr. Maynard devoted to the

and the children looked forward ea

lly the first Saturday of the month, though th

n what the entertainment should be, and if

nt upon their return from the summer vacation, the Sept

for, as she had been away at Grandma Sherwoo

e week, the matter was disc

sked her father. "A balloon t

ie con

think I'd like a picnic best. A real picnic in the woods

aid Mr. Maynard; "do you want a

s, 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 th

orie, decidedly; "but suppose we each inv

ay, her word was law, and

Kingdon. "I haven't seen mu

Midget. As Gladys was her most intimate frie

nounced: "I won't ask nobody but Boffin. He's the nice

the picnic be?" w

ke's Woods best, or the Mill Ra

don. "It's lovely there, now, and it's a lot

hoose Pike's Woods. But

ill hold us all. You may invite your friends, and I'll

and this bids fair to be a delightful one

t, smiling at her mother. "B

se, choo

said Marjor

on tarts,"

said Ro

cken," sa

dd sandwiches and lemonade as my suggestions, and anything

en on a picnic with our own family for so long. We had picn

a," said Kingdon, "an

ishlines, and fish in

e whatever you like. And now I must be off. Little Mother, you'll make a

d Rosy Posy; "do

much candy, she always cho

nd the others remained at the breakfast

ngdon. "We'll make father play Ind

dians!" exclaimed his

Indian. You're too white-folksy.

e; "in chains and sh

Posy; "my muvver not b

tingly; "and, anyway, Mops, Indians don't put pe

e'll have a lovely time, whatever we play. I'm

on that Father and I are going, and tha

oatless, for it was a warm day, and

Gladys, after the invitation had been given and a

Gladys, I wish you could see my tree-house at Grandma'

e here? Won't your fat

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 pra

e it; you

ut I hate to sit cooped up at a desk all da

I wonder if we can sit t

that, the very first thing. Why, I'd d

sure Miss Lawrence wi

air and blue eyes. She was more sedate than Midget, and more quiet in her ways, but she had the same love of fun and mischi

lady, and she loved both little girls, but she was sometimes

he Maynard children had their Ourdays without inviting other guests, but

up most of the day to the making of cakes and tarts and jellies. The next mor

ruit from the city, and a huge can of

turday morning, for it was a long drive, an

iful sunset, and everything boded wel

sleep while telling her beloved Boffin of the fun to come. The other children dine

Father?" said Kitty, looking over he

. All signs point to fair weather, and I truly believ

children. Gladys' father never gets home till seven o'clock, and she has to go to bed at ei

eel chummy with my own family, and the only way to do it is to keep acquainted with each

ther?" said Ki

allow me a holiday every week. But perhaps some day I c

ke an afternoon nap, and Rosy Posy a

rope, but you needn't bother t

the chance of fi

ve left them from the last picni

Fultons, and Kitty asked Dorothy Adams. With a

even," said Mr. Maynard. "I suppose w

iling. "Enough for twenty, I think,

rlier than usual, in order to be u

white striped seersucker, were laid out in readiness

he morning

ened her eyes she heard an ominous sound

of bed, and ran

nly raining, it w

peedy clearing. The sky was dark, leaden gray, and the rain c

h a groan of disappointm

oftly, wondering if

tiptoed across the floor, as she spoke. Kitty opened her eyes sl

awake, she smiled and

d, in alarm, for Marjorie's

of the window, toward which K

ropping back on t

th girls were so overwhelmed with disappointment that t

nd though determined they wouldn't do anything so babyish a

lled Mr. Maynard's cheery v

esponded two

s soon as you're ready; it's

jest indeed! And it wasn't a bit like their father to tease th

splashing about, as if making his toilet in a great hurry. All this spurred the girls to dress more quick

anding by the dining-room window, they both threw themselve

Mr. Maynard,

. Our hearts are all broken because it'

ynard, in apparent excitement. "Can't hav

had just entered the room. "Nobody

ng says so that settles it. I think it's a beautiful picn

and though no one expected the baby to take the disappointment very se

e," said Marjorie, who was inclined to look on

r, approvingly. "Now you try, Kingdon, t

can be, but I suppose there's no use cryin

Now, Kitty, what have you to sa

ike this. But I hope we can have

heartened crew, take your seats at the breakfast tabl

their places, but seemed to hav

! Would it brighten you up any if I should prophesy that at dinner-time to-night you w

ng reproach, while Kitty and King looked blankly