"Exactly; and we are all going to put our best foot foremost in everything. Then we 'men-folks,' as Maggy calls us, are going to take numerous long walks in various directions. Then we are going to have some lectures in the school-house, illustrated with my new magic-lantern, so soon as Cousin Helen and Marion have finished painting the slides, in which lectures I propose to give an account of my travels and magnify my own doings as much as possible, as Gerty says all missionaries do, you know."
"Good!" said all the boys together.
And Frank added, "I'm afraid the school-house won't hold the people, though."
"Then we'll make a lecture-room of the new horse-barn," said Bram. "Go on, Uncle Duncan. What else?"
"What else? Why, we are to read story-books, and play all the games that ever were heard of, and crack bushels of walnuts and butternuts, and roast and boil kettlefuls of chestnuts."
"And make molasses candy and caramels and cornballs," said Rob, eagerly.
"Yes, if Maggy will let us; and to conclude, we are all to be as amiable and good-natured and cheerful as we know how. Seriously, my young folks, don't let us sit down deliberately to have a doleful time, but, on the contrary, make up our minds to do the very best we can for ourselves and each other."
"And by way of making a beginning, let Rob ask James to crack a panful of butternuts," said Mrs. Andrews.
The doctor's programme was pretty well carried out. Mrs. Andrews and Marion painted the slides for the magic-lantern, which was exhibited with great success, both in the valley, at Ivanhoe, and at Rock Bottom, rather to the scandal of Gerty, who wondered Doctor Campbell could condescend to make himself a showman and amuse children. But Doctor Campbell was consoled for the sacrifice of his dignity, if indeed he needed any consolation, by the fact that two flourishing missionary societies were formed, one at Ivanhoe, the other at Rock Bottom.
One day Marion proposed that they should also get up one at Hemlock Valley.