The wagons and carriages began to come in and were filled. Some chose to walk home and let others ride. Mr. Trafford started to form the ranks again. Fan came up and we paused to say a few words to the Churchills, then to Mrs. Ryder who declared that everything had been just delightful, and that she felt ten years younger. Dick was very grave, I remarked, and scarcely spoke.
The very last of the line was Fan and Mr. Ogden. I gave them a quick glance but was hurried on by the throng behind me, and occupied with answering the childrens’ questions. Yet I wondered a little what she had been about since dinner.
We heard it all afterward, but it is fresher just as it happened to her. She and Jennie Ryder, and Annie and Chris Fellows went first to gather ferns and mosses. Of course some of the young men followed in their wake. When their basket had been filled they strolled off two and two, presently losing sight of each other. The day gave its touch of grace and romance to their lives. We all guessed that Mr. Hunter cared for Annie Fellows, and were not much surprised when we heard a little later, that they had “made up their minds” during the ramble.
Fan and Dick strolled onward as well. Dick was unusually silent.
“Shall we go back?” Fan asked softly by and by.
“Go back!” and Dick looked surprised. “Not unless you are tired of me.”
He seemed so down-hearted that Fan had not the courage to confess even in her laughing way.
“I am afraid you have not enjoyed yourself very well. But you have given a great pleasure to Mrs. Ryder—and Jennie could not have come without her. She has to stay at home so much.”
“She is a splendid girl,” said Dick.
“Indeed she is. Dick, I have a bright idea! Why couldn’t we when the evenings are a little cooler, get up a surprise party for her? It would be jolly.”