“I’ll keep my eyes on you, Mr. Richard Randolph Osborne,� she said to herself. “Where you go to-day, I’ll follow.�
Halfway up the long walk, she came upon Sweet William, sitting on the ground, holding a maple bough over his head.
“Won’t you come to our picnic, Patsy?� he said. “Me and Scalawag are having a loverly picnic in the woods down by Tinkling Water.�
“No, thank you,� said Patsy. “I want to see Anne Lewis about going somewhere after dinner.�
“Where?� asked Sweet William.
“I don’t know—till I find out,� laughed Patsy. “But Anne and I will do that; we certainly will.�
“I wish Anne was staying here,� Sweet William said wistfully.
“So do I,� agreed Patsy. “Easter holiday is too short to divide with Ruth. Oh! I’ll be so glad when it’s summer and Anne comes to stay a long time.�
“It isn’t ever a long time where Anne is,� said Sweet William. “I’m going with you to see her, Patsy, and I’ll have my picnic another day.�
They went off and left Dick raking and weeding and hoeing very diligently; but, working his best, he had not half finished his task when the dinner bell rang. He surveyed the garden with a scowl.