“Ha!” he exclaimed mysteriously. “My fondest hopes are realized. To think that I may have the contents of this box all for myself.”
“Oh, Everett, you are so provoking!” Madge cried. “Do let us see what is in it.”
“Very well,” Everett replied. “You may have a look and a sniff if you like, but nary a bite, for there’s just enough here for me.”
The curious girls peered into the box which Everett held out, and Madge joyously exclaimed, “Oh, wasn’t Ching Ling just a dear. He has given us four fried chickens,—one apiece. Here are some wooden plates. Everett, you may have the biggest bird, for I do suppose that you are the hungriest, having been for a sail and an unexpected swim this morning. Now, Adele, here’s a box for you, and one for Eva.”
“Lettuce sandwiches!” Adele announced when she had removed the cover.
“Olives and pickles!” Eva said gleefully when she peered in her box.
“Olives!” sang out Adele. “I just adore them.”
“Woe is me!” moaned Everett. “How I wish that I had been born an olive!”
“Everett, do behave yourself and bring us a bucket of fresh water,” Madge commanded.
Soon the feast was spread and the tin cups filled with sparkling water, and Everett’s nonsense was stilled only because he was so busy gnawing at the chicken.