e to get up this kind of a picnic.
Why, I was telephoning and sending errands for two hours before you
kiddies were awake this morning."

"Dear Daddy," said Marjorie, caressing his hand in both her own, "you
are _so_ good to us; and I _do_ hope it will rain next Ourday!"

"So do I!" said all the others.

CHAPTER VI

THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

At last schooldays began, and one Monday morning the three Maynards
started off.

The first day of school was a great occasion, and much preparation had
been made for it.

Mr. Maynard had brought each of the children a fine new box, well
stocked with pencils, pens, and things of that sort. Kitty had a new
slate, and Midget and King had new blankbooks.

Also, they were all in a state of clean starchiness, and the girls'
pretty gingham dresses and King's wide white collar were immaculate.

Marjorie didn't look especially happy, but her mother said:

"Now, Mopsy, dear, don't go to school as if it were penance. Try to
enjoy it, and think of the fun you'll have playing with the other girls
at recess."

"I know, Mother; but recess is so short, and school is so long."

"Ho! Only till one o'clock," said Kingdon. "Then we can come home, have
lunch, and then there's all the afternoon to play."

"Yes, for you," said Marjorie. "But I have to practise a whole hour, and
that leaves almost no time at all, and there are so many things I want
to do."

"Now, my little girl," said Mrs. Maynard, very seriously, "you must try
to conquer that mood. You know you have to go to school, so why not make
the best of it? You don't really dislike it as much as you think you do.
So, cheer up, little daughter, and run along, determined to see the
bright side, even of school."

"I will try, Mother," said Midget, smiling, as she received her good-bye
kiss, "but I'll be glad when it's one o'clock."

"I wiss me could go to school," said Rosy Posy, wistfully; "me an'
Boffin, we'd have fun in school."

"There it is," said Mrs. Maynard, laughing. "Little girls who can go to
school don't want to go, and little girls who can't go do want to!"

"You'll go some day, Baby," said King, "but they won't let you take
Boffin."

"Den I won't go!" declared Rosy Posy, decidedly.

The three walked down the path to the gate, and, soon after they reached
the street, they were joined by several others, also schoolward bound.

Marjorie's spirits rose, as she chatted with the merry young people; and
as th