“Now that is great, mother, because we can take that much more time in building a stable for Hepsy,” cried Ruth, with real gratitude shining in her eyes.
“Hepsy! Have you got that old nag here?” laughed John.
“What did you bring her for?” wondered May.
“To do the chores in camp,” retorted Julie, laughingly.
“What would we have done without her?” sighed Joan, as she remembered the hauling of the logs.
Then the girls explained how they constructed the hut and what part Hepsy played in the work. They enlarged on the picnics and drives they were going to have, with Hepsy to furnish the motive power.
The boys listened to the first part of the talk, but not being one of the party that expected to have the fine outings, they lost interest and ran off to see if dinner was ready.
John came racing back, crying aloud so all could hear: “’Liza says you’re all to sit down on the grass and hold your plates while’s she passes the soup-kettle and serves you!”
“Where are the dishes?” asked the girls of Mrs. Vernon, as John spoke.
“They must have brought them. I see May and your father over there, carrying a wash-basket,” whispered Mrs. Vernon.