Sarah gave a bewildered nod. "What has the Witch of Salem—"
"Wasn't she riding a broom?" Blue Bonnet persisted.
"Yes—but—"
"Well, in my opinion that's the only good use a broom was ever put to! It has no place in a respectable camping party."
Sarah said no more; but when, a few minutes later, Amanda and Blue Bonnet looked out to learn the source of an odd sound, they beheld the indomitable Sarah, armed with an antiquated rake, gathering up the leaves and litter on the hard dirt "floor" of the dining-room.
"Who would have thought to see our Sarah grown rakish?" asked Blue Bonnet,—and then dodged the pillow sent by Amanda's indignant hand.
By the time the allotted half-hour was up, Poco Tiempo was a model of neatness and order. The girls, booted and hatted in spite of Blue Bonnet's objections, were ready to the minute, and when the young scouts appeared they set out at once, exactly—as Blue Bonnet remarked—like the third-graders at recess.
Grandmother had settled herself comfortably with a book,—Mrs. Judson was coming over later for a chat,—and so it was with a free mind and a soul ready for a carnival of pleasure that Blue Bonnet stepped forth on the joyous expedition.
"I reckon it is better," she admitted to Alec, "to have everything done first, instead of having them to do when you're tired."
"Oh, wise young judge!" he laughed. "We'll make a New Englander of you yet."