"There are huckleberry bushes—loads of 'em," Doris said.
"But they grow right in an awful swamp," Jessie added. "And if you don't watch your step, you're apt to get more swamp than huckleberries. Several people have tried it, and they know!"
"Sounds interesting," said Jo, rummaging for more hard-boiled eggs. "If we haven't enough lunch we can finish up on huckleberries—if there are any left."
When the contents of the baskets were exhausted she rose to make good her boast, despite the lazy protests of the girls.
"Sit down, can't you?" cried Gladys Holt. "The sight of so much energy makes me tired."
"The sight of so much sloth makes me tired!" retorted Jo severely. "If you want to sit there, like so many lizards basking in the sun, you may. Me, I'm going to hunt huckleberries!"
"We aren't lizards and there isn't any sun," retorted Doris. "And all the huckleberries you'll find at this time of year you can put in a thimble."
But Jo gave no sign that she heard. She was already disappearing through the trees.
Nan rose with a weary sigh and Sadie followed suit.
"I suppose we've got to go after her," said the latter plaintively. "There's no telling what she'd get into if left to her own devices!"