“Not that I know of—I forgot the Fourth comes this week,” Mrs. Vernon replied.
“What can we do, Verny? We haven’t any fire-works,” said Betty.
“We’ll have to think out a suitable plan with which to celebrate the National Birthday.”
That evening about the camp-fire, it was discussed and finally voted upon to go for a long outing on the Fourth.
“But where? We don’t want to go down into civilization, you know,” said Ruth.
“Can’t we pack up a dinner and go away off somewhere?” suggested Joan.
“We can drive Hepsy and ride in the buckboard,” added Julie.
“Hepsy hasn’t had much exercise lately, and she’s getting too lazy; it will do her good to thin down somewhat,” laughingly said Mrs. Vernon.
“Verny, did you ever hear of Bluebeard’s Cave, ’way back on this mountain?” asked Julie, glancing slyly at her companions.
“I have, but how did you hear of it?”