"Chil—dren"—it was Polly's voice—"oh, where are you?" They could hear her as she sped over the terrace.
Down went the little dish-towels, and over went all the cups and saucers, for Dickie's foot knocked off what Phronsie spared, as both the small housekeepers rushed tumultuously out.
"Oh, here we are, Polly," they cried.
"Well, you must come at once if you want to go down to Candace's," she announced, standing on the terrace-top, her cheeks quite rosy for her run after them. "Auntie is going to take Jasper and me down to get some things for Rachel. Do you want to go too?"
Didn't they! Polly laughed to see them clamber along the green bank, and she put out her hands and drew them up.
"I shall buy Rachel something," announced Phronsie, smoothing down her pink frock with great decision, as they reached the top.
"And so shall I," cried little Dick, bobbing his head; "I shall get her the very nicest thing that Candace has."
"Well, now, children, we must hurry," said Polly, as they all ran along, "because you know we ought not to keep Auntie waiting. Now, then, one, two, three, and away!"
She seized a small hand in each of her own, and away they sped. None too soon, for Jasper was just skipping down to meet them with the announcement that sister Marion was getting into the carriage; and there on the steps was Mrs. Fisher, with Phronsie's hat in her hand.
"Get in, young man," said Jasper, cramming Dick's cap on his head, and he bundled him in unceremoniously, then hopped after himself.