It was a small basin between the mountains. Down one side of it came the cascade, wandering off through the woods in curves that made a picturesque way. The place was used considerably for pleasure parties, and kept in tolerable order. The committee had been down the day before, put up swings, made some long tables and seats, and given the place quite a homelike air.
The walk was beautiful with varied scenery, fresh, crisp air, and clearest of skies. Mr. Ogden made acquaintance with Mr. Trafton, our superintendent, in about five minutes, and they marshalled the children in a jolly fashion. All heavy baskets and bundles were put in a great farm wagon, and we had nothing to do but march along triumphantly to the carol of the birds.
The youngsters were wild, of course. They shouted at a little gray squirrel which ran along the path, they gave sundry shrill whistles that exceeded the birds, they laughed and chattered, stepped out of line to gather wild flowers or pick up some uncommon pebble, beginning their day’s pleasure at the very outset. But papa did not care. Indeed he was as merry as any of them.
I thought several times how Stephen Duncan would have liked it. I wondered what should have brought him so plainly before my mind on this particular day!
Through winding ways we trooped. Over beyond there were broad meadows and waving corn-fields, scattered farm buildings and cottages, with a bit of road, gleaming dusty white in the sunshine, the river broadening into lakes or bending abruptly; and nearer, the changing glooms and shadows, the points of the hills in blue and purple and bronze. All the air was so clear and sweet, it sent the rushes of warm blood to heart and brain, and then to very finger ends.
The infantry, as Winthrop called it, reached the ground a long while first. We had to disband and the children ran around as if they had never seen a bit of country before. Shawls and baskets were stowed in out-of-the-way corners or suspended from trees. Some of the hardier boys pulled off shoes and stockings, preparatory to having a good time. As for us elders, we began to straighten out our affairs and set up for house-keeping. There were so many lovely people. Miss Oldways,—who taught the bible-class of larger girls,—in her soft, pearl gray dress, and ribbon of the same shade on her bonnet, with a bit of pale blue inside. She was always so sweet and lady-like. She and her widowed sister, Mrs. Bromley, kept a little thread and needle store in the village, and, though they were business women, I did not see that it detracted in the least from their refinement.
Annie and Chris Fellows were with us, and Mrs. Elsden, though she had four children in the Sunday School, but I think she would have enjoyed herself any way. Mrs. Fairlie and Kate had gone to the sea-shore the day before, with the Wests and some others. Then there were Mothers and Aunts of the children, and several of the farmer families near by.
We had stowed our luggage in a cool, shady place and sent the wagon home when the caravan arrived. Old ladies who could not have walked, but were in holiday white apron and kerchief, or best gingham dress, and some with their knitting. We placed shawls on the mossy rocks or benches, and seated them.
“Here is your precious cargo,” said Dick to Fannie. “Come and welcome them.”
“Oh, Mrs. Ryder, I am so glad you could come.”