be content to sit in the carriage all day," he
answered, looking down at her, as though he thought a much swollen nose
and highly colored eyes were the most adorable sights; and Bea looked up
at him, then blushed, without any reason whatever, whereupon Mrs.
Dering made some hasty remark about the desirable weather for picnics,
and the doctor decided, all of a sudden, that he must go, which he
accordingly did.

What a glorious hub-bub a picnic morning is, especially when there are
several in one home interested in its perfect success. Neither of the
girls slept much. Bea couldn't have told what kept her awake, but
somehow, her eyes would remain open, and she was dimly conscious, of
smiling several times in the dark, and feeling very happy. Once she came
very near humming out a little air, that seemed to be singing itself
over and over in her heart, but she suppressed the desire, out of
consideration for others, who were less blissfully affected. Kittie
declared that there was no use trying to sleep, because Kat kept getting
up every few minutes, to look out and see if it was going to rain; and
Kat, in turn, said that Kittie had sat up all night, because her
crimping papers hurt her so she couldn't lie down. At just four o'clock
everybody was fully awakened, by the twins clattering down stairs with a
great racket, and getting breakfast under headway, and Mrs. Dering,
awakened from her morning nap, consoled herself with a fervent--"Bless
the children, I'm glad this doesn't happen often."

"It's going to rain," cried Kat, with a despairing wail. "See that
cloud?"

"Stuff!" echoed Kittie. "It isn't as big as a door-knob." But
nevertheless, they both let breakfast burn, while running every few
moments to see if it was swelling any bigger, and were fully rewarded by
seeing it dwindle and sail away over the barn before six o'clock.

No, it didn't rain, and before the sun was through his earliest infancy,
they were all ready, and Dr. Barnett's phaeton stood at the gate, with
Miss Lottie in a pretty picnic suit; and her brother deeply absorbed in
the pleasing task of getting Bea down to the gate without hurting her
ankle. Ralph officiated on one side of the interesting cripple, and took
a wicked satisfaction in doing the greatest share of the supporting; but
then the doctor was reasonable, and was as happy as possible with what
fell to his share; and Bea,--well, Bea was perfectly content.

They drove off with an accompanying