“Why, of course we have. Let me see: Chocolate, sugar, milk, butter. You shall have them.”
“Thank you, Miss Lloyd,” Nan responded. “We will get to work. In the meantime, my friends, try to restrain your eagerness for the delicious viands set before you, and later we will offer you something which you may prefer, though how you can, is beyond my comprehension.”
The materials for the fudge were brought in and Mary Lee, as head cook, prepared it over the chafing-dish. It turned out to be a great success and merriment ran high. While the fudge was cooling Mr. Wells announced that there would be a picnic the next day, starting from Place o’ Pines.
“Have any of your party ever been to Upper Pond?” he asked. No one had. “Then you have a treat before you. It is simply gorgeous. You have to canoe from here to a point a little above our place, then we shall have to portage across to the pond, about half a mile. The rest of the way we go in canoes to the upper end of the pond. I think we can manage it if you fellows are up to carrying the canoes. Do you ladies think you can be equal to the walk across country?”
“Is it very rough walking?” asked Mrs. Corner.
“Not so very. There is a pretty good path.”
“I think, then, if I can take it slowly, I’ll be able to do it. I am not up to climbing heights, but a slow walk on a level is all right.”
“Then you will get along nicely, for there is no climbing at all. So, good people, you are all bidden to the picnic. No one is to bring any provisions. This is my show. I promised Miss Jo I would repay her for feeding me on a late unforgettable occasion, and she is to cook the bacon this time.”
Again a pang assailed Nan’s heart. Jo was always so popular. Every one liked her. She could be so droll and amusing, so original and without any consciousness. She was the most spontaneous creature, not in the least diffident, and ready to hold her own on every occasion. No wonder a man like Mr. Wells could appreciate her. Jo wasn’t a bit pretty, but she had such a merry face, such a saucy little turned up nose. As Nan thought of this she shrank away into a corner, all her exuberance of spirits suddenly gone.
After a while Dr. Paul came over to where she was silently watching the fudge-making and listening to the merry sallies of wit. “This is the jolliest thing that has happened since our Munich days,” he said contentedly dropping down on the big settle by her side.