"I understand, Blue Bonnet."
It was well that she and her grandmother had made the most of that quiet five minutes before breakfast; for it was the last peaceful moment that day.
As all the gay party trooped into the dining-room with its long table looking like a real banquet board, a big floral decoration was the first thing to greet all eyes. A long low basket of closely woven fibres formed a centrepiece, and inside it, growing so densely that only a vivid mass of blue showed above the brim, were blue bonnets in bloom.
"How sweet! Where did they come from?" Blue Bonnet demanded, looking from face to face.
"There's a card on the handle," some one suggested.
Blue Bonnet bent and read: "Blue Bonnet's namesakes wish her many happy returns of the day." Looking up she caught Alec's eye. "You?" she asked.
"You clever boy! You couldn't have given me anything I should love as much. How did you ever do it?"
"Easy enough. Planted the seeds and took care of them,—had a bad scare for fear they wouldn't bloom in time. I've had them back of Marta's cabin and she's been sitting up nights with them!"
They all crowded about the table for a closer view.