s,"
said Dexie, laughing; "but I was only bidding for the breakfast dishes, you
know."

"But there is no need to trouble yourselves about anything," said Mrs.
McDonald. "Enjoy yourselves all you can while you are here; Phebe can
manage the work nicely. Put on your hats, and have a walk through the
fields; it will give you a fine appetite for your dinner."

"But I have a remarkable appetite already, Mrs. McDonald; I shall be
alarmed if it increases much more," was the smiling reply, "and you know
the Bible says, 'If one will not work, neither should he eat,' or words to
that effect, so you must have pity on me, and not keep me idle. Lancy, your
appetite is wonderful too, for that is your second cup of coffee; you had
better hunt up some work also," she laughingly added.

"I will give him some now," said Lizzie. "Before the tide comes in he can
go down to the boat-house and get out the boat. We want to be off by ten
o'clock; the tide will be about right then, and since you are so anxious
for work, Miss Dexie, you may help Maggie pack the baskets. I hope,
Gertrude, you won't ask for something to do, for I want you to take Miss
Gurney around, and show her the poultry yard. Mother will be too busy to
protect her from our feathered enemies."

"Enemies! are they very savage?" Elsie asked in alarm.

"No; the trouble is in the opposite direction," said Maggie. "The creatures
are that tame they are quite a nuisance; you can scarcely step for them.
The greedy things look for something to eat from everybody who ventures
inside the yard, and will fly on your shoulders for the first chance at the
pan. Gertrude knows how to protect herself, so you can put yourself under
her care with safety."

How pleasant it is when one goes visiting to feel as if you are one of the
family; but the expression "Making yourself at home" is more often made
than really experienced. While at the farmhouse our young people did truly
realize the feeling.

It would take too long to tell of the many excursions by water, and drives
by land, that were enjoyed daily, but the vicinity for miles around was
thoroughly explored. Every night Gertrude would say she ought to return
home, but the next day would seem so full of pleasure that it seemed a pity
to miss it.

One evening, when they were seated and idly swinging among the boughs of a
low-limbed tree that stood near the house--a favorite spot with the
girls--Dexie suddenly remarked,

"Lancy, I am jus