“They are up at the other end of the lake.” Polly pointed across the water.
“But that isn’t here,” mourned the child.
“If they won’t come to us, we shall have to go to them,” her brother replied.
“They will be here soon enough,” laughed Lilith.
Yet Dolly saw no hope; her longing eyes were fastened upon those far-away birds.
As time was precious and the long ride had made them hungry, Polly proposed luncheon at once, and selecting a pleasant spot they arranged seats and began to take out sandwiches. Dolly was so interested in the preparations that for the moment ducks were forgotten.
“Look!” bade Sardis. “See that big V!”
“Oh!” exulted Dolly, “it’s a duck—and he’s coming this way!” She watched the rippling V, and then said softly, as if half afraid to utter so beautiful a thought, “Do you s’pose he saw me and—knows me?”
“He saw you, no doubt; but recognition would hardly be possible at that distance, would it?”
Dolly sighed a little. “No, of course, he couldn’t,” she answered. Then she chuckled joyously. “He’s steering straight for me!”