ovely afternoon, and the park drives were crowded with vehicles
of all sorts. Marjorie secretly thought carriage driving rather tame
after motoring, but there was so much to look at that it was really
desirable to go rather slowly.

As they passed the lake, Parker, the footman, turned around, and asked
them if they would like to get out and see the swans.

They welcomed this opportunity, and the footman gravely assisted them
from the carriage. He selected a bench for them, and the four sat down
upon it without a word.

At last the funny side of the situation struck King, and as he looked at
his three demure sisters, he couldn't stand it another minute. "I'll race
you down to that big tree," he whispered to Marjorie, and like a flash
the two were off, with their; heels flying out behind them.

Parker was scandalized at this performance, but he said nothing, and only
looked at Kitty and Rosamond, still sitting demurely on the bench.

"They'll come back in a minute," said Kitty, and the footman answered
respectfully, "Yes, Miss."

"Did you ever see anything like it?" said King to Marjorie, as they
reached the big tree almost at the same time.

"It's awful funny," Midget returned, "but just for a day or two, I don't
mind it. It's such a new experience that it's rather fun. Only it's such
a temptation to shock Grandpa and Grandma Maynard. I feel like doing
something crazy just to see what they would do. But we promised not
to get into any mischief. Shall we go back now?"

"Might as well; if we stay much longer it will be mischief. I'll race you
back to the carriage."

Back they flew as fast as they had come, and when they reached the
others, their cheeks were glowing and their eyes sparkling with the
exercise.

The impassive footman made no comments, and in fact, he said nothing at
all, but stood like a statue with the carriage robe over his arm.

So Marjorie assumed command, and said quietly, "We will go back now,
Parker," and the man said, "Yes, ma'am," and touched his hat, quite as if
she had been Grandma Maynard herself.

But the very fact of being in a position of responsibility made Marjorie
more audacious, and as the man put them into the carriage, she said, "On
the way home, we will stop somewhere for soda water."

"Yes, ma'am," replied Parker, and he took his place on the box.

The others looked at Marjorie a little doubtfully, but greatly pleased at
the suggestion. And after all it certainly was not