Three Girls go Blackberrying
By Samuel Smyth
Grandpa told Mary that he saw a few blackberries in the pasture. Mary hastened to inform Mina that there were bushels of ripe blackberries in the pasture. Mina hurried to tell Jane, and almost breathlessly suggested that they go and get them before anybody else found them. Jane thought it would be more comfortable after sundown. Mina said that they would be gone before that time, and insisted that they go at once. Outnumbered, Jane reluctantly consented. Mary must change her dress; so must the other two. Much time was spent in that operation, for it included the special dressing of the hair, also. There was much impatience manifested by Mary, the first to declare herself ready; but after the others appeared she suddenly thought of several things that she must attend to. At last each inquired of the others, "Well, are you ready?"
"Yes, in a minute," said Mina. "I forgot to put on cold cream to prevent sunburn."
"So did I," said Jane; "and, Mary, you had better use some, also, or you will regret it."
"I think I will," said Mary; and a good half hour has passed before they are all downstairs again, when the old question was asked again, "Are you ready?"
"Had we better wear rubbers?" asked Jane.
"No," answered Mary, "but I am going upstairs to put on an old pair of shoes."
"That is sensible," said Mina. "I think we all had better follow Mary's example, as it won't take a minute."