"Strawberrying, did you say?" asked Mrs. Parlin, presently.
"Yes, grandma; the berries are just as thick."
"O, just as fick!" repeated Katie, clapping her hands.
"In the Crossman orchard," added Dotty.
"Prosser Horcher," put in Katie, choking a little at the large words. "May her, gamma?"
Now, Dotty knew, as her grandmother did not, that there were two orchards; and the one she meant was a mile and a half away.
"Yes, you may go, Alice; it is only a few steps; but put on an old dress, and don't stay late; you know you are hardly well since your sore throat."
Dotty had not actually told a wrong story, but for almost the first time she had deceived, and she knew the sin was the same. While she was exchanging her pretty pink frock for one of dark calico, her conscience pricked so painfully that she almost wished to stay at home.
"Just as soon as we get out of the village," said Jennie, "I'm going barefoot; mother said I might."
"How splendid your mother is!" sighed Dotty. "Grandma's so particular! But any way I'm going without my stockings; I declare I will. My throat's so far away from my feet, what hurt will it do?"