Father Blossom pretended to be very much worried.
“I know it isn’t Christmas,” he said anxiously, “because it isn’t cold enough. And it can’t be the Fourth of July. What day is it, Meg?”
“The first day of school!” pronounced Meg triumphantly. “And I’m going. See, I have 29 on a new dress, and here’s my pencil case, and my hat has new elastic–––”
“Well! well! well!” exclaimed Father Blossom, “is it possible? My eldest daughter old enough to go to school! I suppose in another year or so the twins will be clamoring for pencil cases and we won’t have any children who have time to play.”
“I could go to school now,” scolded Twaddles, “only everybody says I’m too young.”
“Never mind,” said Father Blossom comfortably. “You’ve years of school ahead of you, Son. Does Mother have to go this morning?”
“No indeed,” answered Mother Blossom cheerfully. “I’ve already seen Miss Mason about Meg, and as she is going to be in the same room with Bobby, he will look after her. And if you don’t want to be late the first morning, children, I think you should start in a few minutes.”
The whole family followed Meg and Bobby to the door to see them off, and even Norah left her morning work to wave good-by to them. Philip and Annabel Lee and Sam were standing 30 in the garage door to see them go, and altogether the two scholars felt rather important.
“There’s Fred Baldwin,” said Bobby, spying a boy just ahead of them. “He’s in my grade. Hey, Fred!”
The boy turned and waited for them to come up with him.