“Do you think so?” she asked, with the reluctance that complies.
“Yes, but not right away. I'll carry them out of the woods, and we'll form the procession just before we come in sight.”
Every one on the ledge recognised the tableau when it appeared, and saluted it with cheers and hand-clapping. Mrs. Pasmer bent a look on her daughter which she faced impenetrably.
“Where have you been?” “We thought you were lost!” “We were just organising a search expedition!” different ones shouted at them.
The lady with the coffee-pot was kneeling over it with her hand on it. “Have some coffee, you poor things! You must be almost starved.”
“We looked about for you everywhere,” said Munt, “and shouted ourselves dumb.”
Miss Anderson passed near Alice. “I knew where you were all the time!”
Then the whole party fell to praising the novel conception of the bouquets of blueberries, and the talk began to flow away from Alice and Mavering in various channels.
All that had happened a few minutes ago in the blueberry patch seemed a far-off dream; the reality had died out of the looks and words.
He ran about from one to another, serving every one; in a little while the whole affair was in his hospitable hands, and his laugh interspersed and brightened the talk.