However, there was one of the girls who decided to add her eight minutes to Laura’s for the march; and so, at Mary Jay’s command, they all formed a line, and marched about under the trees for quarter of an hour. Mary Jay appointed Royal to be the captain; and so they all followed him around and under the trees, singing a merry song all the way. They had branches of the trees for banners.
When the march was over, Mary Jay called for more plays, and they played three more times, about eight minutes each, as near as Mary Jay could estimate the time.
“But, Mary Jay,” said Royal, “you have passed by Marielle; and she is older than the others that you have called upon.”
“So I have,” said Mary Jay. “Marielle, I did not mean to forget you.”
“O, it’s no matter,” said Marielle.
“Well, what play should you like? You shall take your turn now.”
“Cannot we choose any thing besides plays?” asked Marielle.
“Why, yes,” replied Mary Jay, “perhaps so; I’ll see. What should you like?”
Marielle looked down, and appeared half afraid to say what she wished; but presently she said,—
“Why, if you would be kind enough to read us a story out of your Morocco Book.”