第1章
DR。PAULWINSHIPMineHostMRS。TRUTHWINSHIPTheGuardianAngelDICKYWINSHIPASmallScampofSixYearsBELLWINSHIPTheCampPoetessPOLLYOLIVERASweetbutSaucyLassMARGERYNOBLEANut-BrownMaydePHILIPNOBLETheUsefulMemberGEOFFREYSTRONGAHarvardBoyJACKHOWARDPrinceofMischiefHOPYETAHeathenChinee。
PANCHOGUTIERREZAMexicanman-of-all-work。
CHAPTERI:PREPARATIONANDDEPARTURE
"Onetomakeready，andtwotoprepare。"
Itwasnineo"clockonesunnyCaliforniamorning，andGeoffreyStrongstoodunderthelive-oaktreesinLasFloresCanyon，withapotofblackpaintinonehandandahugebrushintheother。Hecouldhavehandledtheseimplementstobetterpurposeandwithbettergracehadnothisarmsbeenfirmlyheldbythreelaughinggirls，whopullednotwisely，buttoowell。Hewasfurtherincommodedbythepresenceofasmallurchinwholayonthedustygroundbeneathhisfeet，fasteninganupwardclutchonthelegsofhistrousers。
Therewerethreelargecanvastentsdirectlyinfrontofthem，yetnooneoftheseseemedtobetheobjectofdissension，butratheraredwoodboard，somethreefeetinlength，whichwasnailedonatreenearby。
"CampFrolic!PleaseletusnameitCampFrolic!"criedBellWinship，withapersuasivetwitchofhercousin"ssleeve。
"No，no；notCampFrolic，"pleadedPollyOliver。"Pray，prayletushaveCampHa-Ha；myheartissetuponit。"
"AsyouareStrong，bemerciful，"quotedMargeryNoble，coaxingly；
"takemyadviceandcallitHarmonyCamp。"
Atthisjuncture，alovelywoman，whosesweetfaceandsmilemadeyouloveheratonce，cameupthehillfromthebrookside。"What，what!
stillquarrelling，children?"sheasked，laughingly。"Letmebepeacemaker。I"vejustaskedtheDoctorforaname，andhesuggestsCampChaparral。Whatdoyousay?"
Bellreleasedonecoat-tail。"Thatisn"twhollybad，"shesaid，critically，whiletheothergirlsclappedtheirhandswithapproval；
foranythingthatAuntTruthsuggestedwassuretobequiteright。
"Waitaminute，goodpeople，"criedJackHoward，flinginghisfishing-tackleunderatreeandsaunteringtowardthesceneofaction。"Supposewehaveareferee，awiseandnoblejudge。CallHopYet，andlethimdecidethisall-importantsubject。"
Hisnamebeingsungandshoutedinvariouskeysbytheassembledcompany，HopYetappearedatthedoorofthebrushkitchen，abroadgrinonhiscountenance，apluckedfowlinhishand。
Geoffreytookthefloor。"Now，HopYet，youknowIgotname，yougotname，everybodygotname。Wewantnamethiscamp:yousabe?MissBell，shesayCampFrolic。Frolicallsameheapgoodtime"(hereheexecutedasortofwar-dancewhichwasintendedtoexpresswildjoy)。
"MissPauline，shesayCampHa-Ha，biglaugh:sabe?Ha!ha!ha!ha!
ha!ha!"(chorusjoinedinbyalltofullyillustratethesubject)。
"MissMadge，shesayCampHarmony。Harmonyallsameheapquiettime，plentyeat，plentydrink，plentysleep，nofight，notoomucheetalk。
Mrs。Winship，shesayCampChaparral:yousabe?Chaparral，HopYet。
Nowwhatyousay?"
HopYetseemedtoregardthequestionwithmingledembarrassmentandamusement，butbeingasharpandtalkativeChinamangavehisanswerpromptly:"MesayCampChap-lalheapgoodname；plentychap-lalalllound；mehangumdish-cloth，tow"l，littleboy"sstockin"，onchap-
lal；allsameclo"se-linevellygood。MissBellshefolic，MissPollysheha!ha!alleesameCampChap-lal。"
AndsoCampChaparralitwas；theredwoodboardflauntedtheassertionbeforetheeyesofthepublic(whichwasaratherlimitedone，tobesure)inlessthanhalfanhour，andtheartist，afterpaintingthewordsinrusticlettersafootlong，cutbranchesofthestiff，ungraciousbushesandnailedthemtothetreeinconfirmationandillustrationofthefact。Hethencarefullydepositedthepaint-
potinasecretplace，whereitmightbeoutofsightandtouchofacertainsearchingeyeandmischievoushandwellknownandfearedofhim；butbeforethesettingsunhaddroppedbelowthelineofpurplemountaintops，asmallboy，whowillbeknownintheseannalsasDickyWinship，mighthavebeenseensittingontheemptypaint-pot，whilefromadingypooluponthegroundhewasattemptingtopaintacopyoftheaforesaidinscriptionuponthesideofatoopatientgoat，whosawnoharmintheoperation。Hewasalone，andvery，veryhappy。
AndnowImusttellyouthewayinwhichallthisbegan。Youmaynotrealiseit，dearyoungfolks，butthismethodoftellingastoryisverymuchthefashionwithgrown-uppeople，andofcourseIamnottoblame，sinceIdidn"tbeginit。
Theplanisthis:Youmustfirstwriteachaptershowingallyourpeople，men，women，children，dogs，andcats，inacertainplace，doingcertainthings。Thenyoumustgobackayearortwoandexplainhowtheyallhappentobethere。Perhapsyoumayhavetodragyourreaderstwenty-fiveyearsintotheregionsofthepast，andshowthemthefirsttoothofyouroldestcharacter；butthatdoesn"tmatterabit，——thefurtherthebetter。Then，wheneverybodyhasforgottenwhatcametopassinthefirstchapter，youarereadytotakeitupagain，asiftherehadneverbeenanyparenthesis。
However，Ishallnotintroduceyoutothecradles，cribs，ortrundle-
bedsofmymerryyoungcampers，butmerelyaskyoutoretraceyourstepsoneweek，andlookuponthemintheirhomes。
OnoneofthepleasanteststreetsofacertainlittleCaliforniatownstood，andstillstandsforaughtIknow，aprettybrowncottage，withitsverandahscoveredwithpassion-vineandabrilliantrose-
gardeninfront。Itispicturesqueenoughtoattracttheattentionofanypasser-by，andifyouhadchosentopeepthroughthecrevicesinthethickvinesandlookinattheopenwindow，youmighthavethoughtitlovelierwithinthanwithout。
Itwasabrightday，andthegraciousJunesunshinefloodedtheroomwithyellowlight。Threeyounggirls，perhapsfourteenorfifteenyearsold，wereseatedindifferentpartsofthelargeroom，plyingindustriouscrochetneedlesandtattingshuttles。Threepairsofbrighteyesweredancingwithfunandgladness；andanotherpair，thesoftestandclearestofall，lookedoutfromabroadwhitebedinthecorner，——tiredeyes，andoh，sopatient，forthehealth-givingbreezeswaftedinfromtheblueoceanandcarriedovermountaintopsandvine-coveredslopeshadsofarfailedtobringbackElsieHoward"sstrengthandvigour。
Thegraceful，brown-hairedgirlwiththebright，laughter-lovingface，wasBellWinship。Sheofthedancingblueeyes，pinkcheeks，andrecklesslittlesun-bonnetwasPauline，otherwisePollyOliver。
DidyoueverknowaPollywithoutsomeoneofthesethings?Well，myPollyhadthemall，and，besides，asaucyfrecklednose，acrownoffluffy，reddish-yellowhair，andashowerofcoaxinglittlepitfallscalleddimplesroundherprettymouth。Shemadeyouthinkofasunbeam，amorningsongbird，adancingbutterfly，oranimpetuouslittlecrocusjustoutafterthefirstspringshower。Dislikeher?
Youcouldn"t。Approveofher?Youwouldn"talways。Loveher?Ofcourse；youcouldn"thelpyourself，——Idefyyou。
Tobesure，ifyoupreferaquietlife，anddonotwanttobeledintoexploitsofallkinds，invariablybeginningwithrisk，attendedwithdanger，andculminatingindespair，youhadbetternotengageinanintimatefriendshipwithMissPaulineOliver，butfixyouraffectionsonthequiet，thoughtful，butnotlesslovablegirlwhositsbythebedsidestrokingElsieHoward"sthinwhitehand。
Nevertheless，IamobligedtostatethatMargeryNobleherself，earnest，demure，andgiventoreflection，wasPolly"swillingslaveandvictim。However，I"veforgottentotellyouthatPollywasasopenandfrankasthedaylight，atoncetorridandconstantinheraffections，brave，self-forgettingaswellasself-willed；andthatthoughshedidhaveatonguejusttheleastbitsaucy，sheuseditvaliantlyinthedefenceofothers。"She"llcomeoutallright，"
saidadearold-fashionedgrandfatherofherswhomshehadleftwaybackinaVermontfarmhouse。"She"sgottobepurgedo"considerabledross，butshe"llcomeoutpuregold，Itellyou。"
Pretty，wise，tenderMargeryNoble，withhersleekbrownbraids，herinnocent，questioningeyes，hersoftvoice，willinghands，andshy，quietmanners!"Shewilleitherendasthematronofanorphanasylumorashead-nurseinahospital。"SoBellWinshipoftenusedtosay；butthenshewaschieflycelebratedfortalkingnonsense，andnobodyeverpaidmuchattentiontoher。Butifyoushouldcraveabreathoffreshair，orwanttobelievethatthespringhascome，justcallBellWinshipin，asshewalkswithherbreezystepdownthestreet。Herveryhairseemsinstinctwithlife，withitsflyingtendrilsofbronzebrightnessandtheriotouslittlecurlsonherbrowandtemples。Then，too，shehasaparticularlyjauntywayofputtingonherjacket，orwearingafloweroraribbon；andasforherringingpealoflaughter，itislikeachimeofsilverbells。
ElsieHoward，theinvalidfriendofthegirls，wasasdeartothemastheyweretoeachother。Shekeptthesecretsofthe"firm"；mournedovertheirgriefsandsmiledovertheirjoys；wasproudoftheirtalentsandtenderlyblindtotheirfaults。Thelittlewickerrocking-chairbythebedsidewasoftenmadeasortofconfessional，atwhichshepresided，thetenderestandmostsympatheticlittlepriestessintheuniverse；andeveryafternoonthepiazza，withitslatticeofgreenvines，servedasamimicthrone-room，whereshewaswonttoholdhighcourt，surroundedbyherdevotedsubjects。HereGeoffreyStrongusedoftentoreadtotheassembledcompanyDavidCopperfield，AliceinWonderland，orsnatchesfromthemagazines，whileJackHowardlazilystretchedhimselfundertheorange-treesandbraidedlariats，afavouriteoccupationwithCaliforniaboys。Aboutfouro"clockPhilipNoblewouldrideupfromhisfather"sfruitranch，somethreemilesoutontheSanMarcosroad，and，hitchinghislittlesorrelmareChispaatthegate，stayanhourbeforegoingtothepost-office。
Thisparticularafternoon，however，wasnotoneofElsie"sbrightones，andtherewasnosignofcourtorinvalidqueenonthepiazza。
ThevoicesofthegirlsfloatedoutfromElsie"sbedroom，whiletheboys，too，seemedtobesomewhereinthevicinity，fortherewasaconstantstirringaboutasoflivelypreparation，togetherwithnoiseofhammeringandsawing。
"Ifyouwereonlygoing，Elsie，ourcupofhappinesswouldbefull，"
sighedBell。
"Notonlywoulditbefull，Bell，butitwouldberunningover，andweshouldpositivelystandintheslop，"saidPolly。"No，youneedn"tfrownatme，miss；thatexpressionisborrowedfromnolessapersonthanSydneySmith。"
"Don"tthinkanymoreaboutme，"smiledElsie。"PerhapsIcancomedowninthecourseofthesummer。Iknowitwillbethehappiesttimeintheworld，butIdon"tenvyyouabit；infact，I"mverygladyou"regoing，becauseyou"llhavesuchalovelybudgetofadventurestotellmewhenyoucomeback。"
"Whenwecomeback，indeed!"exclaimedBell。"Why，weshallwritelonground-robinletterseveryfewdays，andsendthembytheteam。
PapasaysPanchowillhavetogoovertothestagestationatleastonceaweekforlettersandanyprovisionswemayneed。"
"Oh，won"tthatbedelightful，——almostasgoodasbeingtheremyself!
And，Margerydear，youmustmakethemtellmeeveryleastlittlethingthathappens。Youknowtheyaresuchfly-awaysthatthey"llonlywritemewhentheylearntoswim，orshootawildcat，orgetlostinthewoods。Iwanttoknowallthestupidbits:whatyouhavefordinner，howandwhereyousleep，howyourcamplooks，whatyoudofrommorningtillnight，andhowDickybehaves。"
"Icantellyouthatbeforehand，"saidBell，dolefully。"JackwillshoothimbymistakeonThursday；hewillbekickedbythehorsesFriday，andbittenbytarantulasandrattlesnakesSaturday；hewilleatpoisonoakonSunday，getlostinthecanyonMonday，beeatenbyabearTuesday，anddrownedinthepoolWednesday。Theseincidentswillcompletehisfirstweek；andiftheyproducenoeffectonhisnaturallystrongconstitution，hewilltreatustoanotherweek，containingjustasmanymishaps，butnoduplicates。"
Bythetimethisdismalprophecywasendedtheothergirlswereinabreathlessfitoflaughter，thoughallacknowledgeditwaslikelytobefulfilled。
"Iwentoverthecamping-groundlastsummer，"saidMargery。"Youknowitisquitenearpapa"ssheepranch，anditiscertainlythemostbeautifulplaceinCalifornia。Thetentswillbepitchedatthemouthofthecanyon，wherethereisaviewoftheocean，andjustatthebackwillbealovelygroveofwildoaksandsycamore-trees。"
"Oh，won"titbedelicious!"sighedElsie。"IfeelasifIcouldsnifftheairthisminute。Butthere!Iwon"tpretendthatI"mdyingforfreshair，withthebreathoftheseacominginatmysouthwindow，andawhiffofjasmineandhoneysucklefromthepiazza。Thatwouldbenonsense。Areyourtrunkspacked?"
"Trunks!"exclaimedPolly。"Wouldyoubelieveit，ourclothesarepackedingunny-sacks!Westartinourcamping-dresses，withulstersforthesteameranddustersforthelongdrive。Thenweeachhave——
letmeseewhatwehave:ashort，toughriding-skirtwithajersey，abathing-dress，andsomeginghammorning-gownstowearaboutthecampatbreakfast-time。"
"Andflannelgownsforthenight，andtwopairsofboots，andariding-capandonehatapiece，"addedMargery。
"Butoh，Elsie，mydear，youshouldseeDickyinhiscamping-suits，"
laughedBell。"Theyareatriumphofinventiononmamma"spart。
Justimagine!oneisofsomeenamelledcloththatwasleftoverfromthenewcarriagecushions；itisveryshinyandelegant；andtheother，truly，isofsofttannedleather，andjustasprettyasitcanbe。Thenhehashob-nailed，copper-toedboots，andahatthattiesunderhischin。Poorlittleman，hehaslosthiscurls，too，andlooksratherlikeaconvict。"
Mrs。HowardcameinthedoorwhileBellwasspeaking，andlaughedheartilyatthedescriptionofDicky"scuriousoutfit。"Whattimedoyoustart?"sheasked，asshelaidabunchofmignonetteonElsie"stable。
"Atelevento-morrowmorning，"Bellanswered。"Everythingispacked。
Wearetostartinthesteamer，andwhenwecometoouroldlanding，aboutfortymilesdownthecoast，wearetogetoffandtakeathree-
seatedthorough-bracewagon，anddriveovertoLasFloresCanyon。
Panchohashiredafunnylittlepackmule；hesaysweshallneedoneingoingupthemountain，andthattheboyscantakehimwhentheygooutshooting，——tocarrythedeerhome，youknow。"
"IfIcanbringElsiedown，asIhope，wemustcomebyland，"saidMrs。Howard。"Ithoughtwecouldtaketwodaysforthejourney，sleepingattheBurtons"ranchontheway。Thedoctorsaysthatifshecangetstrengthenoughtobeartheride，theopen-airlifewilldohergood，evenifshedoesnothingbutlieinthehammock。"
"Andbewaiteduponbysixwillingslaves，"addedPolly。
"Andbefedoncannedcornedbeefandtomatostew，"laughedBell。
"Notabitofit，"saidMargery。"HopYetisasplendidcook，ifhehasanythingtocook，andwe"llfeedheronbroiledtitbitsofbabyvenison，goat"smilk，wildbees"honey，andcunninglittlemourningdoves，roastedonaspit。"
"Goodgracious，"criedBell，"whatangels"food!onlyIwouldassoondevourapetcanaryasamourningdove。ButtothinkthatI"vebeentryingtodietforaweekinordertogetintimatewithsufferingandprivation!Pollycametostaywithmeonenight，andwesleptonthefloor，withonlyablanketunderus，andnopillow；itwasperfectlyhorrid。Pollydreamedthathergrandfatherateuphergrandmother，andIthatDickystabbedtheJerseycalfwithapickle-fork。"
"Horrors!"ejaculatedMargery；"that"sapleasantprospectforyourfuturebedfellows。Ihopethegopherswon"tmakeyounervous，gnawingandscratchinginthestraw；Igotusedtothemlastsummer。
Butwereallymustgo，darling，"andshestoopedtokissElsiegood-
bye。
"Well，Isupposeyouought，"sheanswered。"Butrememberyouaretostartfromthisgate；AuntTruthhaspromisedmethefunofseeingyououtofsight。"
Thegirlswentoutatasidedoor，andjoinedtheboys，whowerebusilyatworkcleaningtheirgunsonthebroadwesternporch。
"Howareyoucomingon?"questionedPolly。
"Oh，finely，"answeredJack，whoalwaysconstitutedhimselfchiefspokesman，unlessdrivenfromtherostrumbysomeonepossessedofanimblertongue。"Ionlyhopeyourfemininetogsareinhalfasgoodorder。"
"Wetakenobaggagetospeakof，"saidBell，loftily。"Papahascutusdowntotheverylastnotch，andsaysthelawallowsveryfewpoundsonthistrip。"
"Thelessthebetter，"quothGeoff，cheerily；"thenyou"llhavetopolishupyourmentaljewels。"
"Whichyouconsiderimitation，Isuppose，"sniffedPolly。
"Perishthethought!"criedJack。"But，speakingofmentaljewels，youshouldseethearrangementsGeoffhasmadeforpolishinghis。Hehasactuallystuckinsixlargevolumes，anyoneofwhichwouldbearemedyforsleeplessness。Whatareyougoingtostudy，MissPol-y-
on-o-mousOliver?"
"Now，Jack，letusdecideatoncewhetheryouintendtoberespectfulornot。Idon"tproposetoexposemyselftoyournonsensefortwomonthsunlessyoumakemegoodpromises。"
"Why，thatwasn"tdisrespectful。Itismynewestword，anditsimplymeanshavingmanytitles。I"msureyouhavemorethanmostpeople。"
"Verywell，then!I"lloverlooktheirreverencethistime，andannouncethatIshallnottakeanythingwhatevertoread，butsimplyreflectuponwhatIknowalready。"
"Thatmaylastforthefirstweek，"saidBell，slyly，"butwhatwillyoudoafterward?"
"I"llreflectuponwhatyoudon"tknow，"retortedPolly。"Thatwilleasilyoccupymetwomonths。"
Fortunately，attheverymomentthisstingingremarkwasmade，PhilNobledasheduptothefrontgate，flunghisbridleoverthehitching-post，andliftedhishatfromaverywarmbrow。
"Hail，chiefofthecommissarydepartment!"criedGeoffrey，withmocksalute。"Haveyoudespatchedtheteam?"
"Yes；everythingisallright，"saidPhil，breathlessly，deliveringhimselfofhisinformationinspasmodicburstsofwords。"Suchalotofworkitwas!here"sthelist。Panchowilldumpthemonthegroundandletussettlethemwhenwegetthere。Suchaload!Youshouldhaveseenit!HardlyroomforhimtositupinfrontwiththeChinaman。Justhearthis，"andhedrewalargedocumentfromwhatPollycalled"aback-stairspocket。"
"Fortycanscornedbeef，fourguns，threeDutchcheeses，pickles，fishing-tackle，flour，bacon，threebushelsonions，crateofdishes，Jack"sbanjo，potatoes，ShortHistoryoftheEnglishPeople，cookingutensils，threehairpillows，boxofginger-snaps，fourhammocks，coffee，cartridges，sugar，Macaulay"sEssays，Pond"sextract，sixteenhams，Bell"sguitar，pop-corn，molasses，salt，St。Jacob"sOil，ConquestofMexico，sackofalmonds，flea-powder，andsmokedherring。
Whew!Ipackedthemallmyself。"
"Inpreciselythatorder?"questionedPolly。
"Inpreciselythatorder，MissOliver，"returnedPhil，urbanely。
"AnyonewhofeelsthatsaidpackingmightbeimproveduponhasonlytomountthefleetArabianyonder"(theanimalalludedtoseizedthismomenttostandonthreelegs，hanghishead，andlookdejected)，"and，givinghimtherein，speedo"erthetracklessplainwhichleadstoSanMiguel，o"ertaketheteam，andre-packthecontentsaccordingtoherownsatisfaction。"
"Nobutter，noreggs，norfreshvegetables?"askedMargery。"Weshallstarve!"
"Notatall，"quothJack。"Pollywillgracefullydisposeahorse-
blanketabouthershoulders，toshieldherfromthechilldewsoftheearlymorn，mountthepackmuleexactlyatcock-croweveryday，andridetoaneighbouringranchwheretherearetonsoftheaforesaidarticlesawaitingourconsumption。"
"Canyouseemedoingit，girls?Doesitseementirelynatural?"
askedPolly，withgreatgravity。
"Nowhearmyreportaschairmanofthecommitteeofarrangements，"
saidGeoffreyStrong，seatinghimselfwithdignityonabarrelofnails。"Thetents，ropes，tool-boxes，bed-sacks，blankets，furniture，etc。，allwentdownonMonday"ssteamer，andIhaveatelegramfromLarry"sLandingsayingthattheyarrivedingoodorder，andthataMexicangentlemanwhoownsamammothwood-cartwilltakethemupto-morrowwhenwegoourselves。TheprocessionwillmoveatoneP。M。，windandweatherpermitting，inthefollowingorder:-
"1。ChiefNobleonhisgallantbroncho。
"2。CommanderStrongonhisditto，ditto。
"3。Mainconveyanceortriumphalchariot，drivenbyAide-de-CampJohnHoward，andcarryingDr。andMrs。Winship，ourmostworshipfulandbenignanthostandhostess；MasterDickWinship，theheir-
apparent；threeotheryoungpersonsnotworthmentioning；andfourcansofbestleaflard，whichIomittedtoputwiththeotherprovisions。
"4。Wood-cartcontainingbaggage，drivenbySenorDonManuelFelipeHilarioNoriegafromDeadWoodGulch。
"5。Onesmalltanterrier。"
"Oh，Geoff，Geoff，praydostop!it"stoomuch!"criedthegirlsinafitoflaughter。
"Hurrah!"shoutedJack，tossinghishatintoatalleucalyptus-treeinhisexcitement，"Tentlifeforever!"
"Good-bye，yepompsandvanities!"chantedBell，kissingherhandinimaginaryfarewell。"Verilythenoisycityshallknowusnomore，forwedepartforthegreenforests。"
"AndthecitywillnotbeasnoisyWHENyoudepart，"murmuredJack，withanimpudencethatluckilypassedunnoticed。
"IfElsiecouldonlycometoo!"sighedPolly。
WednesdaymorningdawnedasbrightandbeautifulasallmorningsarewonttodawninSouthernCalifornia。Alightmisthungovertheoldadobemissionchurch，throughwhich，withitssnow-whitetowersandcold，clear-cutlines，itroselikeafrozenfairycastle。Bellopenedhersleepyeyeswiththeveryearliestbirds，andrunningtothelittleovalwindow，framedwithwhite-rosevines，lookedoutatthenewdayjustcreepingupintotheworld。
"Ohdearandbeautifulhomeofmine，howcharming，howcharmingyouare!IwonderifyouarenotreallyParadise!"shesaid，dreamily；
andthemarvelisthattherisingsundidnotstopamomentinsheersurpriseatthesightofthisradiantmorningvision；fortheovalwindowopeningtotheeastwasaprettyframe，withitsoutlinemarkedbythedewyrose-vinecoveredwithhundredsofpure，half-
openedbudsandswayingtendrils，andshestoodthereinit，afairimageofthemorninginherinnocentwhitegown。Herluminouseyesstillmirroredtheshadowyvisionsofdreamland，mingledwithdancinglightsofhopeandjoyfulanticipation；whileonherfreshcheeks，whichhadnotyetlosttheroundnessofchildhood，thereglowed，asintheeasternskies，thefaintpinkblushofthemorning。
Thetownisyetasleep，andintruthitisneverapttobefairlywideawake。Theairissoftandbalmy；thelovelyPacific，aquivering，sparklingsheetofblueandgreyandgreenfleckedwithwhitefoam，stretchesfaroutuntilitislostintherosysky；andthemountains，allpurpleandpinkandfaintcrimsonandgrey，standlikesentinelsalongtheshore。Thescentoftheroses，violets，andmignonettemingledwiththecloyingfragranceofthedaturaisheavyinthestillair。Thebending，willowypepper-treesshowmyriadbunchesofyellowblossoms，crimsonseed-berries，andfreshgreenleaves，whosesurface，notrain-washedformonths，isasfullofcolourasever。Thepalm-treesrisewithoutabranch，tall，slender，andgraceful，fromthewarmlygenerousearth，andspreadatlast，asiftiredoftheirstraightness，intobeautifulcrownsoffans，whichswaytowardeachotherwitheverybreathofair。Innumerablebutterfliesandhumming-birds，inthehot，dazzlingsunshineofnoonday，willbehoveringoverthebedsofsweetpurpleheliotropeandfindingtheirwayintotheheartsofthepassion-flowers，butasyetnotthefaintestwhirrofwingscanbeheard。Lookingeastwardorwestward，youseeeitherbrownfoot-hills，or，alittlelateron，emeraldslopeswhosevineshangheavywiththehalf-ripenedgrapes。
Andhark!Asilverynotestrikesonthedewystillness。Itisthemissionbellringingformorningmass；andifyoulookyonderyoumayseetheFranciscanfriarsgoingtoprayers，withtheirloosegreygowns，theirgirdleofrope，theirsandaledfeet，andtheirjinglingrosaries；andperhapsaSpanishsenorita，withhertrailingdress，andblackshawllooselythrownoverherhead，fromoutthefoldsofwhichhertwodarkeyesburnlikegleamingfires。AsolitaryMexicangallopsby，withgaylydecoratedsaddleandheavilyladensaddle-bagshangingfromit；perhapsheistakinghomeprovisionstohiswifeanddark-eyedbabieswholiveupinalittledimpleofthemountainside，almosthiddenfromsightbytheolive-trees。Andthenapatient，hardylittlemustanglopesalongthestreet，bearingonhisbackthreelaughingboys，onebehindtheother，onamorningrideintotownfromthemesa。
Themisthadfloatedawayfromtheoldmissionnow，thesunhasclimbedalittlehigher，andBellhascomeawayfromthewindowinagentlemood。
"Oh，Polly，Idon"tseehowanybodycanbewickedinsuchabeautiful，beautifulworld。"
"Humph!"saidPolly，dippinghercurlyheaddeepintothewater-bowl，andcominguplookinglikealittledrownedkitten。"Whenyouwanttobehateful，youdon"tstoptothinkwhetheryou"relookingatacactusorarosebush，doyou?"
"Verytrue，"sighedBell，quitesilencedbythispracticalillustration。"NowI"lltrytheeffectofthelandscapeonmytemperbydressingDicky，whilehedancesabouttheroomandplayswithhistanterrier。"
ButithappenedthatDickywasonhisverybestbehaviour，andstoodasstillasasignpostwhilebeingdressed。Itistrueheateacoupleofmatchesandtumbleddown-stairstwicebeforebreakfast，sothatafterthathurriedmealBelltiedhimtooneoftheverandahposts，thathemightnotcommitanyactviciousenoughtokeepthemathome。Ashehadahugepocketfullofapricotshewasinperfectgood-humour，nottakinghisconfinementatalltoheart，inasmuchasitcommandedafullviewofthesceneofaction。Hisamiabilitywasfurtherincreased，moreover，bythepossessionofabrightnewpoliceman"swhistle，whichwascarefullytiedtohisbutton-holebyaneatlittlesilkcord，andwhichhisfondparentsintendedthatheshouldblowifhechancedtofallintodangerduringhisramblesaboutthecamp。Wemightaswellstatehere，however，thatthisprecautionprovedfruitless，forheblewitatalltimesandseasons；
andeverybodybecamesohardenedtoitsmelodiousshriekthattheypaidnoattentiontoitwhatever，——history，orfable，thusagainrepeatingitself。
Mr。andMrs。NoblehaddrivenMargeryandPhilintotownfromthefruitranch，andwerewaitingtoseethepartyoff。
Mrs。OliverwastoliveintheWinshiphouseduringtheabsenceofthefamily，andwasaidingthemtodothosenumberlesslittlethingsthatarealwaysfoundundoneatthelastmoment。Shehadgivenherimpetuousdaughteradozenfondembraces，smotheringineachagentlewarning，andstoodnowwithMrs。Winshipatthegate，watchingthethreegirls，whohadgoneontobidElsiegood-bye。
"IhopePaulinewon"tgiveyouanytrouble，"shesaid。"Sheissoapttobetooimpulsiveandthoughtless。"
"Ishallenjoyher，"saidsweetAuntTruth，withthatbright，cordialsmileofhersthatwaslikeablessing。"Shehasaverylovingheart，andiseasilyled。Howprettythegirlslook，andhowdifferenttheyare!Pollyislikeathistledownorafirefly，MargerylikeoneofourhomeMayflowers，andIcan"thelpthinkingmyBelllikeasunbeam。"
Thegirlsdidlookverypretty；fortheirmothershadfashionedtheircamping-dresseswithmuchcareandtaste，takinggreatpainstomakethempicturesqueandappropriatetotheirsummerlife"underthegreenwoodtree。"
OveraplainfullskirtofheavycrimsonsergeBellworeahuntingjacketanddraperyofdarkleaf-green，likeabitofforestagainstasunset。Herhair，whichfellinawavingmassofburnishedbrightnesstoherwaist，wascaughtbyasilverarrow，andcrownedbyawidesofthatofcrimsonfeltencircledwithabird"sbreast。
Margeryworeasoftgreyflannel，thecolourofadove"sthroat，adornedwithrowsuponrowsofsilverbraidandsparklingsilverbuttons；whileherbiggreyhathadnothingbutasilvercordandtasseltiedrounditinSpanishfashion。
Pollywasallinsailorblue，withadistractinglynattylittledouble-breastedcoatandgreatwhiterollingcollar。Herhatswunginherhand，asusual，showingherboyishheadofsunnyauburncurls，andshecarriedonaneatchatelaineasilvercupandlittleclasp-
knife，aswasthecustomintheparty。