CHAPTER IX
THE “WATER SPRITE”
The next morning dawned clear and beautiful. The storm of the day before had washed the dust from plants and trees, and seemed to have washed the very air itself, for it was as clear as crystal and had a tonic quality that set the blood to dancing.
Cora had awakened early and stolen to her window, where she sat entranced by the beauty of the view. But she was not allowed to enjoy it long, for there came a thundering knock on the door that made her jump.
“Come along, you sleepyheads!” sounded Jack’s voice from outside. “It’s too fine a morning to waste it in sleep.”
“Let us now be up and doing!” chanted Walter.
“The day is one to stir the sluggard blood!” added Paul.
“You boys just trot along,” sang out Cora defiantly. “We’re going to take our time.”
“You always do,” retorted Jack. “If time were money you girls would be millionaires.”
“Let them rave,” remarked Belle, as she opened her sleepy eyes.
“I’m going to have another forty winks,” said Bess, as she turned over on her pillow.