At length the preparations were fairly finished, the horses were at the door, Allie’s eyes were dancing almost out of his head with joy, the refreshments were all packed in, and, almost in the midst of the baskets a stool was set for Allie, and his happy little self deposited upon it. The rest were finally seated, and the picnickers move off for Dudley’s woods.
Everybody talked and laughed together; and Allie sang to himself, with no fear of being heard. Presently he seized an end of his sister’s shawl, and shouted with all his might:
“Doos, Laula, doos!”
“Yes, dear, Laula knows.”
“My doos, Laula! my doos ober dare.”
“Yes, dear, never mind,” was the answer.
“Ve’er min’ doos, Laula?” said the voice, anxiously.
“No, never mind, we’ll see another.”
“Where is the feather on your hat, child?” asked Laura, when they had ridden two miles farther.
“Doos dawn, Laula; ’ou ed no min’ my doos.”