“Yes, do; and be as successful as you were last summer with the blackberries,” began papa, with a twinkle, but Cricket pinched him under the table till he begged for mercy.
“Couldn’t we ask two or three boys and girls to go with us?” asked Marjorie. “I’d like to have May Chester and the Gray boys.”
“Yes, certainly. Ask Jack Fleming, too. Cook shall put you up some luncheon, and you can take my keys and go into the house, if you like.”
“Let’s go to-morrow. Things always happen if you put things off,” said Eunice, not very clearly.
“Very well, my dear. I’m of your opinion myself,” said papa. “Marjorie, I’ll take you round to see May Chester, after dinner, and while you’re there, I’ll look up the boys.” Papa would take any amount of trouble for the happiness of his flock.
Everybody proved to be delighted with the idea. The next day was wonderfully fine, even for June. At nine o’clock the party were all gathered at the Wards’. Each little person had a wicker-basket, now containing luncheon, but which were to come home full of the biggest berries they could find. If they wished, they were to get some big pails at the farm-house, and ’Gustus John, who was coming into town with fresh vegetables, would bring them in for the children.
Papa took them himself to the street-cars, to see the merry party safely off.
“Don’t stay too late,” cautioned papa. “On the other hand, you need not come home at noon,” with a sly glance at Cricket.
“Papa!” said that young lady, “if you say any more about that, I won’t come to-night, and then you’ll be sorry.”
Then the car came, and they were off.