And then Minnie jumped round upon the grass, and hummed a pretty little song. She was so pleased she hardly knew how to express her joy. So she carolled it forth like the birds, in a sweet and simple song. After some minutes spent in singing and watching her father, she said,—
"Pa!"
"What do you want, Minnie?"
"May I go and invite Fanny, and Rhoda, and Jeannie to try my new swing when it is done?"
"Certainly, my child. Run and get them. The swing will soon be ready."
Minnie ran off in search of her playmates. She did not invite Lillia. Not because she bore any ill will towards her, but because she knew her presence would only prevent the other girls from being happy. Selfish Lillia would want to swing all the time. In a short time she returned with her three friends. The swing was ready; and Minnie said,—
"Fanny shall swing first, because she is the youngest. Then Jeannie shall have a turn, and then Rhoda."
"But when will you swing yourself, Minnie?" inquired one of the girls.
"O, never, mind me; I can swing any time, you know."
Then the girls began to swing, and Minnie was never happier than while she was thus busied in affording her schoolmates pleasure.