sang Douglas, coming into the kitchen to spy out the nakedness of the land preparatory to sending her order for provisions to the wholesale grocer in Richmond. “What are you girls scrapping about?”
“Helen said——”
“Lucy’s always——”
“Yes, I haven’t a doubt of it,” laughed the elder sister, who was ever the peacemaker. “I haven’t a doubt that Helen did say it, but she was just joking, and I know Lucy is always trying to help and is a dear girl. Now you children trot along and bring back all the chickens you can carry. Have you got your bags?” Gunnysacks were always taken to bring home the provender. “And money to pay for the chickens? If you see any eggs, buy them, and more roasting ears, but don’t try to carry everything you see. Have the mountaineers bring them to camp. Good-bye! Be sure to come back before dark.”
“Ask her about the guns,” whispered Frank to Lil.
“Douglas, can the boys take their guns? Helen says she says yes if you say yes. They won’t carry ’em loaded.”
“We—ll, I believe we can trust you; but do be careful, boys.”
With a whoop the boys flew to their tent for the guns. The sizable lunch was dumped in the bottom of a gunnysack and slung over Skeeter’s shoulder, and the cavalcade started, after many admonitions from Douglas and Helen to be careful of their guns and to come back before dark.
“Ain’t they the scared cats, though?” laughed Lucy.
“Yes; what on earth could happen to us?” said Lil.