ven of bay leaves.

However, this morning for about half an hour John had undisturbed
possession of the laburnum-tree. He began by trying Madge's seat, but
his legs being several inches shorter than hers dangled most
uncomfortably, instead of reaching the bough below. In order to steady
himself he had to hold on with one hand, which was terribly
humiliating. Madge, who could sit there in the most unconcerned
manner, plaiting rushes or carving a stick, would be sure to laugh at
him if she came out and noticed his difficulty. He hastily slipped
down into Betty's seat.

Now it so happened that the twins were not at all alike in appearance.
John was a fine handsome boy, Betty rather a thin, under-sized girl;
consequently the fork between the laburnum branches into which she
fitted exactly would not admit her brother at all. Except for the
glory of the thing, it was far safer and more comfortable down among
the bay leaves. John was so seldom out in the garden without his
sisters that he had never before had a quiet opportunity for making
this discovery. He was still thinking it over with puzzled
astonishment, when there was a loud sound of slamming doors, and Betty
ran out of the house, dangling her straw hat from her hand by a
worn-out bit of elastic.

"Madge kept in?" inquired John anxiously.

"Oh no! It's her turn to put away the books and desks, that's all."

This was a relief, for though the twins were supposed to be
romantically devoted to each other, they were both in reality rather
dependent upon Madge, whose superior size, age, and experience made her
the undisputed leader in all their games. John and Betty waited
impatiently, listening to the series of bangs which accompanied their
sister's rather abrupt restoration of order in the schoolroom. At last
there were three crashes louder than all the former sounds.

"Hurrah! There go the desks!" shouted John. "That's the last thing
always. She'll be here in a minute!"

In point of fact Madge joined them almost immediately. "I've thought
of something," she said, directly she came within shouting distance.

There was some excitement at this announcement, for when Madge solemnly
observed that she had thought of something, it always meant that an
unusually interesting plan was about to be unfolded. They all climbed
into their customary seats to await further developments. As Betty was
nearest the laburnum-tree she scrambled up first, so that Madge h