"Oh, well, that was such a tiny little bit you could do, anyway," said Alexia, airily, and tossing her long light braids. "The important parts all have to be done by us girls. Boys are in the way!"
"Indeed! Well, why don't you go back and help Polly," retorted Clare, "instead of staying here with us."
"Oh, I'm going," said Alexia. "I only came in to see what did make you all come so early. Why, it's hardly after breakfast."
"Pick—oh, you here," Ben hurried in, and gave the long figure sprawling in the easy-chair a clap on the back. "You're the very one Polly and I want; and come on, you chaps," addressing the other boys, "there's a job waiting for you all."
Pickering got out of his chair with a little laugh, while the other boys roared.
"What's the matter?" asked Ben, in a puzzle.
"Oh, nothing," said Pickering, as he went out, "only Alexia is glad to see us set to work."
"Yes, I am," said Alexia. Then she laughed, and ran ahead to get first to Polly.
"There is always one good thing about her," said Clare, as the whole group of boys tumbled promiscuously after, "she never minds when the joke is against her."
"That's so," they nodded.