"Look at that squirrel peeping at us out of its nest," whispered Johnny.
Looking up, they saw, after a time, the round bright eye of a squirrel, high up in the tree over their heads, and soon they spied another at a little distance, fussing about among the leaves on the ground, finding nuts for his little ones. Perhaps they made some noise, for he took fright and climbed up a tall stem as quick as lightning, and then leaped to a tree opposite, through the air, where they could see him quite well, with his bushy brown tail curled above his head.
"Hush!" said Mr. Grove, at this moment. "Look there!"
They turned where he pointed, and saw come silently tripping along, one behind another, six or seven of the Forest deer. The children remained so still that the timid creatures never saw or heard them, but passed on among the trees out of sight.
A rustling among the leaves was now heard, as if some one was coming. Who should it be but Jacob the coachman, leading the horse that had brought the carriage from the station, but who now bore two large panniers on his back, instead of drawing a carriage. The horse's name was Sir Toby.
"Here comes Jacob with Sir Toby. Is this where we are to dine papa? O what a lovely place to dine in!" exclaimed several voices.
All collected round the panniers directly, and now mama took the direction of affairs.
"Fix on the spot where we shall lay the cloth," said she.
They scattered about to choose a place. One fixed here, another there; at last all agreed that the most beautiful had been found. It was a round space covered with soft grass, where the trees and bushes left just a sufficient opening. The stream running behind the bushes, but close by, would supply them with delicious water. Here, therefore, they fixed it should be.
The white tablecloth was spread smoothly, and looked very pretty with its green border of grass.