"So do I!" cried all the others, as they ran away upstairs.
Shortly after, seven very spick-and-span-looking children presented themselves in the lower hall. Curls had been brushed, hair-ribbons freshly tied, and even Boffin had a new blue ribbon round his neck.
"Now for the real picnic!" cried Mr. Maynard, as he led the way into the living-room.
As Marjorie entered, she gave a shriek of delight, and turned to rush into her father's arms.
"Oh, Daddy!" she cried. "You do beat the Dutch! What a lovely picnic! It's a million times better than going to the woods!"
"Especially on a day like this," said her father.
The others, too, gave exclamations of joy, and indeed that was small wonder.
The whole room had almost been turned into a woodland glen.
On the floor were spread some old green muslin curtains that had once been used for private theatricals or something.
Round the walls stood all the palms and ferns and plants that belonged in other parts of the house, and these were enough to give quite an outdoorsy look to the place.