Then ensued a pleasant task, one in which Rover especially evinced the keenest interest, the sagacious retriever watching their every movement with an attention that never faltered.
Needless almost to say, the agreeable occupation in question was that of unpacking the hamper containing all the good things which Sarah had packed and Dick had brought from the house for their picnic in the woods.
Aye, it was in the woods; and under the woods, too!
Encircled by a hedge of green shrubbery and thicket undergrowth, amidst which the wild-flowers of the forest stood out here and there, their brightest tints gleaming with a wealth of colouring which nature’s gems alone display, Mrs Gilmour selected a nice smooth stretch of velvety turf for their table.
On this, she proceeded to lay a damask cloth, whose snowy whiteness contrasted vividly with its surroundings; for, a clump of silver birches joined in hand-clasp with a straggling oak overhead, sheltering the grass-plot with their welcome shade from the heat of the noonday sun, while, over all, a lofty spreading elm extended its sturdy branches, like outstretched arms, above its lesser brethren below, as if saying paternally, “Bless you, my children!”
Having daintily arranged the contends of the hamper to the best advantage on the open-air banqueting-table, an enormous veal-and-ham pie, their chief dish, in the centre, Mrs Gilmour and Nellie surveyed their handiwork with much complacency.
“Sure, and I don’t think a single thing has been forgotten,” observed the former with pardonable pride, after a critical inspection of the various viands. “At most of the picnics I have participated in, either the salt, or the mustard, or something else has been left behind; but, to-day, I believe Sarah has remembered everything!”
“Yes, I’m sure she has, auntie dear!” cried Miss Nellie with equal enthusiasm. “Here’s the kettle for us to boil; and the teapot, and teacups, too, all ready for our tea, auntie, after lunch.”
“She is a good girl, Sarah, and I will reward her for this,” said Mrs Gilmour, giving a final pat to the table-cloth after smoothing it down and pulling the corners straight. “I’m afraid, though, dearie, we’ll have to wait a precious long time before Captain Dresser and the boys come back; and, laying the table has made me feel quite hungry, I declare.”
“So am I, auntie,” laughed Nell. “The sight of all the nice things is too much. Let us go away and pick some wild-flowers till the others come back, eh, auntie?”