“Anne doesn’t,” Norma volunteered.
“All right.” Dick looked a little disappointed. “I thought we’d got everything ready, and for once the girls needn’t bother. There will be clams enough for everybody who likes them. But if anyone is fussy—all right-o.”
“Lend a hand, girls,” said Tante. “We’ll put up some sandwiches and eggs in a few minutes.”
After the sandwiches were made, and while they waited for the eggs to hard-boil, Cicely went for the botany box which she always carried to get “specimens”; and Nancy, hovering about the living room, finally pounced on something for which she was looking.
“What’s that pill-box for, Nancy?” queried Eddie, the sharp-eyed.
“Well, if you must know, I’m going to hunt for some fern-seed,” said Nancy rather shyly. “You know to-night is Midsummer Eve. If I find some fern-seed I am going to try to become invisible.”
“Pooh!” cried Dick. “You are a goose, Nancy!” But just then Patsy came scampering up in a wide circle and jumped on Nancy’s shoulder.
“You see, he knows!” she laughed. “He wants to go with me. My fairy cat is full of mischief to-day. He acts perfectly wild. He knows it is Midsummer Eve, don’t you, Patsy? But you can see fairies without fern-seed, I’m sure.”
“You don’t really believe——” began Anne. But she was interrupted by a shout from the pier. “Hurry up, girls! Tide is just right! Oh, Reddy!”
The Round Robin seized the baskets and wraps and hurried down the slip where the Togo was waiting. Tante and the Twins followed. Doughboy made fourteen out of what Norma called an “unlucky number.” Patsy was not invited. He was too “temperamental,” Dick declared. It was a crowded boatful. But some of them sat on the floor and some on the deck with their legs dangling over. While the Twins and the pup chose their favorite safe place in the tiny cabin, and played at being stowaways.