第7章
"Withthosefish?"laughedPolly。"No!you"llhavetowaituntildayafterto-morrow，andthenyourguesswillberight。Isn"titalmosttoogoodtobetrue?"
"Andsheisalmostwell，"addedBell，joyfully，slippingherarmthroughMargery"sandsqueezingitinsheerdelight。"Mrs。Howardsayssheisreallyandtrulybetter。Oh，ifElsieHowardinbedistheloveliest，dearestthingintheworld，whatwillitbeliketohaveheroutofitandwithusinallourgoodtimes!"
"Hasshealwaysbeenillsinceyouknewher?"askedLaura。
"Yes；aterriblecoldleftherwithweaknessofthelungs，andthedoctorsfearedconsumption，butthoughtthatshemightpossiblyoutgrowitentirelyifshelivedinamilderclimate；soMrs。Howardlefthomeandeverybodyshecaredfor，andbroughtElsietoSantaBarbara。Papahastakenaninterestinherfromthefirst，andasfaraswegirlsareconcerned，itwasloveatfirstsight。YouneverknewanybodylikeElsie!"
"Isshepretty?"
"Pretty!"criedPolly，"sheislikeanangelinapicture-book!"
"Interesting?"
"Interesting!"saidBell，inatonethatshowedthewordtobetoofeebleforthesubject；"Elsieismoreinterestingthanalltheothergirlsintheotherworldputtogether!"
"Popular?"
"Popular!"exclaimedMargery，takingherturnintheoralexamination，"Idon"tknowwhetheranybodycanbepopularwhoisalwaysinbed；butifit"spopulartobeadoredbyeveryman，woman，child，andanimalthatcomesanywherenearher，whythenElsieispopular。"
"Andissheafavouritewithboysaswellasgirls?"
"Favourite!"saidBell。"Why，theythinkthatsheissimplyperfect!
Ofcourseshehasscarcelybeenabletositupaweekatatimeforayear，andnaturallyshehasnotseenmanypeople；but，ifyouwantaboy"sopinion，justaskPhiliporGeoffrey。Iassureyou，Laura，afteryouhaveknownElsieawhile，andhaveseentheimpressionshemakesuponeverybody，youwillwanttogotobedandseeifyoucandolikewise。"
"Itisn"tjustthegoingtobed，"remarkedMargery，sagely。
"Anditisn"ttheprettinesseither，"addedPolly；"thoughifyousawElsieasleep，aflowerinonehand，theotherunderhercheek，herhairstrayingoverthepillow(Oforhairthatwouldstrayanywhere!)，youwouldexpecteverymomenttoseeahaloaboveherhead。"
"Idon"tbelieveitisbecausesheisgoodthateverybodyadmiresherso，"saidLaura，"Idon"tthinkgoodnessinitselfisalwayssoveryinteresting；ifElsiehadfrecklesandasnubnose"——("Don"tmindme!"murmuredPolly)——"youwouldfindthatpeoplewouldsaylessaboutherwonderfulcharacter。"
"Therearethingsthatpuzzleme，"saidPolly，thoughtfully。"ItseemstomethatifIcouldcontrivetobeeversogood，nobodyeverwouldlookforahaloroundmyhead。Now，isitmyturned-upnoseandredhairthatmakemewhatIam，ordidwhatIammakemynoseandhairwhattheyare——which?"
"We"llhavetoaskAuntTruth，"saidMargery；"thatistoodifficultathingforustoanswer。"
"Wasn"titniceIcatchedthatbigbull-frog，Margie?"criedDick，hiseyesshiningwithanticipation。"NowI"llhaveasmanyassevenor"levenfrogsandlotsofhornedtoadswhenElsiecomes，andshecanhelpmeplaywith"em。"
Whenthegirlsreachedthetentsagain，thelastarticlehadbeentakenfromtheteamandManuelhaddrivenaway。ThesoundofPhil"shammercouldbeheardfromthecarpenter-shop，andPanchowasalreadylayingthetentfloorinasmall，open，sunnyplace，wherethelowboughsofasinglesycamorehungsoastoprotectoneofitscorners，leavingtheresttothefullwarmthofthesunshinethatwastomakeElsieentirelywellagain。
"Iamtiredtodeath，"sighedLaura，throwingherselfdowninabamboolounging-chair。"Suchatrampaswehad!andafterall，theboysinsistedongoingwhereDr。Winshipwouldn"tallowustofollow，sothatwehadtostaybehindandfishwiththechildren；IwishI
hadstayedathomeandreadTheColonel"sDaughter。"
"Oh，Laura!"remonstratedMargery，"thinkofthatlovelypoolwiththeforestsofmaiden-hairgrowingallaboutit!"
"Andpoison-oak，"grumbledLaura。"IknowIwalkedintosomeofitandshalllooklikeaperfectfrightforaweek。Ishallnevermakeacountrygirl——it"snouseformetotry。"
"It"snouseforyoutotrywalkingfourmilesinhigh-heeledshoes，mydear，"saidPolly，bluntly。
"Theyarenothigh，"retortedLaura，"andiftheyare，Idon"tcaretolooklikea——a——cow-boy，eveninthebackwoods。"
"I"manawfulexample，"sighedPolly，seatingherselfonastumpinfrontofthetent，andelevatingaverydustylittlecommon-senseboot。"SirWalterRaleighwouldneverhaveallowedmetowalkonhisvelvetcloakwiththatboot，wouldhe，girls?Oh，wasn"tthatromantic，though?anddon"tIwishthatIhadbeenQueenElizabeth!"
"You"vegottheHAIR，"saidLaura。
"Thankyou!IhadforgottenElizabeth"shairwasred；soitwas。
Thisismycourttrain，"snatchingatablecloththatbungonahushnearby，andpinningittoherwaistinthetwinklingofaneye，——
"thismyfarthingale，"danglinghersun-bonnetfromherbelt，——"thismysceptre，"seizingaJapaneseumbrella，——"thismycrown，"invertingabrighttinplateuponhercurlyhead。"Sheisjustalightingfromherchariot，THUS；thecourtiersturnpale，THUS；(whydon"tyoudoit?)whatshallbedone?TheRoyalFeetmustnotbewet。"Goroundthepuddle?Prit，meLud，"Od"sbody!Forsooth!Certainlynot!
Removethepuddle!"shesayshaughtilytohersubjects。Theyarejustabouttodoso，whenoutfrombehindaneighbouringchaparralbushstalksabeautifulyoungprincewithcoal-blackhairandrose-
redcheeks。Hewearsarichvelvetcloak，glitteringwithembroidery。Heseesnothercrown，herhairoutshinesit；heseesnothersceptre，hertinyhandconcealsit；heseesnaughtsavetheloathlymud。Hestripsoffhiscloakandfloatsitonthepuddle。
WithahaughtybutgraciousbendofherheadtheQueenacceptsthecourtesy；crossesthepuddle，THUS，waveshersceptre，THUS，andsaying，"Youshallhearfrommebyreturnmail，meLud，"shevanisheswithinthecastle。ThenextmorningshemakesSirWalterBritishMinistertoFlorida。Hedepartsatoncewithacargooftobacco，whichheexchangesforsweetpotatoes，andeverybodyishappyeverafter。"
Thegirlswereconvulsedwithmirthatthishistoricalromance，and，asMrs。Winshipwipedthetearsofmerrimentfromhereyes，Pollyseizedthegoldenopportunityanddroppedonherkneesbesideher。
"Please，AuntTruth，wecan"tgetthewhitemosquito-nettingbecauseDr。Winshiphasthekeyofthestorehouseinhispocket，andso——may——
I——blowthehorn?"
Mrs。Winshipgaveherconsentindespair，andPollywenttotheoak-
treewherethehornhungandblewallthestrengthofherlungsintoblastafterblastforfiveminutes。
"That"sallIneeded，"shesaid，onreturning；"thatwasanescape-
valve，andIshallbelady-likeandwell-behavedtherestoftheday。"
CHAPTERVI:QUEENELSIEVISITSTHECOURT
"Anhourandfriendwithfriendwillmeet，Lipclingtolipandhandclasphand。"
"Now，Laura，"askedBell，whenquietwasrestored，"adviseusaboutElsie"stent。Wewantittobeperfectlylovely；andyouhavesuchgoodtaste!"
"Letmethink，"saidLaura。"Oh，ifshewereonlyabrunetteinsteadofablonde，wecouldfestoonthetentwiththatyellowtarlatanI
broughtfortheplay!"
"Whatdifferencedoesitmakewhethersheisdarkorlight?"askedBell，obtusely。
"Why，aroomoughttobeasbecomingasadress——soMrs。Pinkertonsays。YouknowIsawagreatdealofheratthehotel；andoh，girls!herbedroomwasthemostexquisitethingyoueversaw!ShehadaFrenchtoilet-table，coveredwithpalebluesilkandwhitemarquiselace，——perfectlylovely，——withyardsandyardsofrobin"s-
eggbluewateredribboninbows；andonitshekeptallhertoiletarticles，everythinginhammeredsilverfromTiffany"swithmonogramsontheback，——threeorfoursizesofbrushes，andcombs，andmirrors，andafullmanicureset。Itusedtotakehertwohourstodress；butitwasworthit。Oh，suchgorgeoustea-gownsasshehad!Oneofoldroseandlettucewasaperfectdream!Shealwayshadherbreakfastinbed，youknow。Ithinkit"sdelightfultohaveyourbreakfastbeforeyougetup，anddressasslowlyasyoulike。Iwishmammawouldletmedoit。"
"Whatdoesshedoaftershegetsdressedinherrowsofoldlettuce——
Imeanheroldrowsoflettuce?"askedPolly。
"Do?Whyreally，Polly，youaretoostupid!Whatdoyousupposeshedid?Whateverybodyelsedoes，ofcourse。"
"Oh!"saidPolly，apologetically。
"HowoldisMrs。Pinkerton?"askedMargery。
"Betweennineteenandtwenty。Thereisnotthreeyears"differenceinourages，thoughshehasbeenmarriednearlytwoyears。Itseemssofunny。"
"Onlynineteen!"criedBell。"Why，Ialwaysthoughtthatshewasoldasthehills——twenty-fiveorthirtyattheveryleast。Shealwaysseemedtiredofthings。"
"Well，"saidLaura，inawhisperintendedtobetoolowtoreachMrs。
Winship"stent，"Idon"tknowwhetherIoughttorepeatwhatwastoldmeinconfidence，butthefactis——well——shedoesn"tlikeMr。
Pinkertonverywell!"
Theothergirls，whohadnotenjoyedtheadvantagesofcitylifeandtravel，lookedasdazedasanyscandalmongercouldhavedesired。
"Don"tlikehim!"gaspedPolly，nearlyfallingoffthestump。"Why，she"smarriedtohim!"
"Whereonearthwereyoubroughtup?"snappedLaura。"Whatdifferencedoesthatmake?Shecan"thelpitifshedoesn"thappentolikeherhusband，canshe?Youcan"tmakeyourselflikeanybody，canyou?"
"Well，didsheeverlikehim?"askedMargery；"forshe"sonlybeenmarriedayearortwo，anditseemstomeitmighthavelastedthatlongiftherewasanythingtobeginon。"
"But，"whisperedLaura，mysteriously，"youseeMr。PinkertonwasveryrichandtheDentonsverypoor。Mr。Dentonhadjustdied，leavingthemnothingatalltoliveon，andpoorJessiewouldhavehadtoteachschool，orsomedreadfulthinglikethat。Thethoughtofitalmostkilledher，sheissosensitiveandsorefined。Shenevertoldmesoinsomanywords，butIamsureshemarriedMr。Pinkertontosavehermotherfrompoverty；andIpityherfromthebottomofmyheart。"
"Isupposeitwasnoble，"saidBell，inapuzzledtone，"ifshecouldn"tthinkofanyotherway，but——"
"Well，didshetryveryhardtothinkofotherways?"askedPolly。
"Sheneverlookedespeciallynobletome。Ithoughtsheseemedlikeadie-away，frizzlygigkindofagirl。"
"Iwish，MissOliver，thatyouwouldbekindenoughtorememberthatMrs。Pinkertonisoneofmymostintimatefriends，"saidLaura，sharply。"AndIdowish，also，thatyouwouldn"ttalkloudenoughtobeheardallthroughthecanyon。"
ThecolourcameintoPolly"scheeks，butbeforeshecouldanswer，Mrs。Winshipwalkedin，stocking-basketinhand，andseatedherselfinthelittlewickerrocking-chair。Polly"sclariontoneshadgivenheracluetothesubject，andshethoughtthediscussionneededguidance。
"YouweretalkingaboutMrs。Pinkerton，girls，"shesaid，serenely。
"Yousayyouarefondofher，Laura，dear，anditseemsveryungraciousformetocriticiseyourfriend；thatisathingwhichmostofusfailtobearpatiently。ButIcannotletyouholdherupasanidealtobeworshipped，oraskthegirlstoadmireasapieceofself-denialwhatIfearwasnothingbutindolenceandself-
gratification。Youaretooyoungtotalkofthesethingsverymuch；
butyouarenottooyoungtomakeupyourmindthatwhenyouagreetoliveallyourlifelongwithaperson，youmusthavesomeotherfeelingthanadeterminationnottoteachschool。JessieDenton"smother，mydearLaura，wouldneverhaveaskedthesacrificeofherdaughter"swholelife；andJessieherselfwouldneverhavemadeithadshebeenlessvain，proud，andluxuriousinhertastes，andalittlebraver，moreself-forgettingandindustrious。Thesearehardwords，dear，andIamsorrytousethem。Shehasgainedtherichesshewanted，——thecarriagesandservants，andtea-gowns，andhammeredsilverfromTiffany"s，butshelookstiredanddisappointed，asBellsays；andI"venodoubtsheis，poorgirl。"
"Idon"tthinkyoudoherjustice，Mrs。Winship；Idon"t，indeed，"
saidLaura。
"Ifyouarereallyattachedtoher，Laura，don"tmakethemistakeofadmiringherfaultsofcharacter，buttrytofindherbetterqualities，andhelphertodevelopthem。Itisafatalthingwhengirlsofyouragesetupthesefalsestandards，andordertheirlivesbythem。Thereareworsethingsthanschool-teaching，yes，orevenfloor-scrubbingorwindow-washing。Lovelytea-gownsandsilver-
backedbrushesareallveryprettyandnicetohave，iftheyarenotgainedatthesacrificeofsomethingbetter。Ishouldhavesaidtomydaughter，hadIbeenMrs。Denton，"Wewillworkforeachother，mydarling，andtrytodowhateverGodgivesustodo；but，nomatterhowhardlifeis，yourheartisthemostpreciousthingintheworld，andyoumustneversellthat，ifwepartwitheverythingelse。"Oh，mygirls，mygirls，ifIcouldonlymakeyoubelievethat"poorandcontentisrich，andrichenough。"Icannotbeartothinkofyourgrowingyearbyyearintotheconvictionthattheseprettyglitteringthingsofwealtharethetruegoldoflifewhicheverybodyseeks。
Forgiveme，Laura，ifIhavehurtyourfeelings。"
"Iknowyouwouldneverhurtanybody"sfeelings，ifyoucouldhelpit，Mrs。Winship，"Lauraanswered，withahintofcoldnessinhervoice，"thoughIcan"thelpthinkingthatyouarealittlehardonpoorJessie；but，eventhen，onecansurelylikeapersonwithoutwishingtodotheverysamethingsshedoes。"
"Yes，thatistrue，"saidMrs。Winship，gravely。"Butonecannotconstantlyjustifyawrongactioninanotherwithouthavingone"sownstandardunconsciouslylowered。Whatwecontinuallyexcuseinotherpeopleweshouldbeinclinedbyandbytoexcuseinourselves。Letuschooseourfriendsaswiselyaspossible，andlovethemdearly，helpingthemtogrowworthierofourloveatthesametimewearetryingtogrowworthieroftheirs；because"welivebyadmiration，hope，andlove，"youknow，butnotbyadmiringandlovingthewrongthings。
"Butthereisthehorn，andIheartheboys。Letuscometoluncheon，andtellourgoodnewsofElsie。"
[Musicfollows]
Withincredibleenergy。
Thehorn!Thehorn!Thelus-ty，lus-tyhorn!"Tisnotathingtolaughtoscorn，Athingtolaughtoscorn!
Longbeforetheboysappearedinsight，theirvoicesrangthroughthecanyoninachorusthatwoketheechoes，andpresentlytheycameintoview，bearingtwoquartersandasaddleoffreshlykilledmutton，hangingfromaleafybranchswungbetweenJack"ssturdyshoulderandGeoff"s。
"Asplendid"stillhunt"thismorning，AuntTruth!"exclaimedJack。
"Gameplentyandnottooshy，dogsinprimecondition，huntersditto。
Beholdtheresult!"
ThegirlscouldscarcelytellwhetherornoLaurawasoffendedatAuntTruth"sunexpectedlittlelecture。Shedidnotappearquiteasunrestrainedasusual，butaseverybodywasengagedinthepreparationsforElsie"swelcometherewasageneralatmosphereofhilarityandconfusion，sothatnoawkwardnesswaspossible。
Thetool-shopresoundedwithblowsofhammerandsteel。Dickywasundereverybody"sfeet，andhis"sevenortenfrogs，"togetherwithhisunrivalledcollectionofhornedtoads，werecontinuallyescapingfromtheirtinpailsandboxesinthevarioustents，andeverybodywasobligedtojoininthesearchtorecoverandre-incarceratethem，inordertokeepthepeace。
HopYetwasmakingagoldandsilvercake，with"Elsie"inpinklettersonchocolatefrosting。Philiphadpitchedthenewtentsothatinonecornertherewasaslendermanzanita-treewhichhadbeencroppedforsomepurposeorother。Hehadnailedacross-pieceonthis，sothatitresembledtheletterT，andwasnowlaboriouslyboringholesandfittinginpegs，thatElsiemighthaveasortofclosetbehindherbed。
Asfortherusticfurniture，thegirlsandboysdeclaredittobetoobeautifulforwords。Theystoodincirclesaboutitandadmireditwithoutreserve，eachclaimingthathisownspecialpieceofworkwasthegemofthecollection。Thesunlightshiningthroughthegreyandgreentintsofthetentwasvotedperfection，Philip"sclosetamiracleofingenuity，thegreenandwhitestrawmattinganinspiration。
Thelooking-glasshadbeenmountedonapacking-box，andconvertedbyLauraintoadressing-tablethatrivalledMrs。Pinkerton"s；forgreentarlatanandwhitemosquito-nettinghadbeensoskilfullycombinedthatthetraditionalmermaidmighthavebeengladtomakehertoiletthere"withacombandaglassinherhand。"Therestofthegreenandwhitegauzystuffhadbeenloopedfromthecornersofthetenttothecentreoftheroof-piece，anddelicatetendrilsofwildclematisclimbedhereandthereasifitweregrowing，itsrootsplungedincunninglyhiddenbottlesofwater。Bellhadgoneaboutwithpiecesofawningclothandgreenbraid，andstitchedanelaboratesystemofpocketsontheinsideofthetentwherevertheywouldnotbetooprominent。Thereweretinypocketsforneedle-work，thimbles，andscissors，medium-sizedpocketsforsoapandcombsandbrushes，biggerpocketsforshoesandslippersandstockings，andmammothpocketsforanythingelsethatElsiemightordaintoputinapocket。
Byfouro"clockintheafternoonMargeryhadusedhercleverfingerstosuchpurposethatawhitesilesiaflag，workedwiththecampname，floatedfromthetiptopofthefrontentrancetothetent。Theceremonyofraisingtheflagwasattendedwithmuchenthusiasm，anditsaccomplishmentgreetedbyadeafeningcheerfromtheentireparty。
"UnlessonewantsParadise，"sighedMargery，"whowouldn"tbecontentedwithdearCampChaparral?"
"Whowouldliveinahouse，anyway?"exclaimedPhilip。"Sniffthisair，andlookupatthatsky!"
"Andthisiswhattheycall"roughingit，"inSantaBarbara，"quothDr。Winship。"Why，youyoungstershavemadethattentfitfortheoccupancyofasocietybelle。"
"Now，let"sorganiseforreception!"criedGeoffrey。"Assemble，goodpeople!Comeoverhere，AuntTruth!Iwilltakethechairmyself，sinceIdon"thappentoseeanybodywhowouldfillitwithmoredignity。"
"Iamgoingtomountmybronchoandgooutontheroadtomeetmybelovedfamily，"saidJack，saunteringuptotheimpromptucouncil-
chamber。
"Howcanyoutellwhentheywillarrive?"askedMrs。Winship。
"Icanmakeaprettygoodguess。They"llprobablystartfromTacitasasearlyaseightornineo"clock，ifElsieiswell。Let"ssee:
it"sabouttwenty-fivemiles，isn"tit，UncleDoc?Saytwenty-threetotheplacewheretheyturnoffthemainroad。Well，I"lltakeabitoflunch，rideouttenortwelvemiles，hitchmyhorseintheshade，andwait。"
"Verywell，"saidGeoffrey。"Itisnotusualforcommitteestoappointthemselves，butasyouareanearrelativeofourdistinguishedguestswewillgrantyouspecialconsiderationandorderyoutothefront。Ladiesandgentlemen，passingovertheslightinformalityofthenomination，allinfavourofappointingMr。
JohnHowardEnvoyExtraordinarypleasemanifestitbytheusualsign。"
Sixpersonsyelled"Ay，"fourraisedtherighthand，andonestoodup。
"Thereseemstobeaslightdifferenceofopinionastotheusualsign。Allright——Contraryminded!"
"No!"shoutedPolly，atthetopofherlungs。
"Itisaunanimousvote，"saidGeoffrey，crushingly，bringingdownhisfistasanimaginarygavelwithincredibleforceanddignity。
"Dr。andMrs。Winship，willyouobligetheChairbyactingasaspecialReceptionCommittee?"
"Certainly，"respondedthedoctor，smilingly。"WilltheChairkindlyoutlinethegeneralpolicyofthecommittee?"
"Hm-m-m!Yes，certainly——ofcourse。TheChairsuggeststhattheReceptionCommittee——well，thattheystayathomeand——receivetheguests，——yes，thatwilldoverynicely。All-in-favour-and-so-forth-
it-is-a-vote-and-so-ordered。Secretarywillpleasespreadacopyontheminutes。"Gavel。
"Irisetoapointoforder，"saidJack，sagely。"Thereisnosecretaryandtherearenominutes。"
"Mereform，"saidtheChair；"sitdown；therewillbeminutesinaminute，——gottodosomemorethingsfirst；thatwilldo，SITDOWN。
WilltheMissesBurtonandMessrs。BurtonandNoblekindlyactasCommitteeonDecoration?"
"Where"stheCommitteeonMusic，andRefreshments，andOlympianGames，andallthatsortofthing?"interruptedPolly，whohadnottheslightestconceptionofparliamentaryetiquette；"andwhydon"tyouhurryupandputmeonsomething?"
"IfMissOliverrefusestobridlehertongue，andpersistsininterruptingthebusinessofthemeeting，theChairwillbeobligedtoremoveher，"saidGeoffrey，withchillingemphasis。
Pollyroseagain，undaunted。"IwouldrespectfullyasktheChair，whoputhiminthechair，anyway?"
"Question!"roaredPhilip。
"Secondthemotion!"shriekedBell，thatbeingtheonlyparliamentaryexpressionsheknew。
"Order!"criedGeoffreyinstentorianaccents。"Iwilladjournthemeetingandclearthecourt-roomunlessthereisorder。"
"Do!"remarkedPolly，encouragingly。"Iwillriseagain，likePhoebus，frommyashes，tosaythat——"
HereJacksprangtohisfeet。"IwouldsuggesttotheChairthatthelastspeakeramendhermotionbysubstitutingtheword"Phoenix"for"Phoebus。""
"Accepttheamendment，"saidPolly，serenely，amidstthegeneralhilarity。
"Question!"calledBell，withanothermightyprojectionofmemoryintoamissionarymeetingthatshehadonceattended。
"Iamnotawarethatthereisanymotionbeforethehouse，"saidGeoffrey，cuttingly。
"Secondthemotion!"
"Secondtheamendment!"shoutedthegirls。
"Ladies，thereISnomotion。WillyouobligetheChairbyremainingquietuntilspeechisrequested?"
"Movethatthemeetingbeadjournedandanotheronecalled，withanewChair!"remarkedMargery，whofeltthatthehonourofhersexwasatstake。
"Movethatthismotionbesoorderedandspreadupontheminutes，andacopyofitbepresentedtotheChairman，"suggestedPhilip。
"MovethatthecopybeappropriatelyboundinCALF，"saidJack，dodginganimaginaryblow。
"Movethattheothercommitteesbeelectedbyballot，"concludedScottBurton。
"Thisissimplydisgraceful!"exclaimedtheChair。"Order!order!I
appointMissOliverCommitteeonEntertainment，withaviewofkeepingherstill。"
Thiswasreceivedwithparticularaswellasgeneralsatisfaction。
"MissWinship，weappointyouCommitteeonMusic。"
"Allright。Doyouwishittobeoriginal?"
"Certainlynot；wewishittobegood。"
"Butweonlyknowonechorus，andthat"s"MyWitchingDinahSnow。""
"Nevermind；eitherwritenewwordstothattuneorsingtra-la-latoit。Mr。RichardWinship，theChairappointsyouCommitteeonMenagerie，andsuggeststhataswehaveproclaimedalegalholiday，yougiveyouranimalsthefreedomofthecity。"
"Don"tknowwhatfreedomofercitymeans，"saidDicky，whofearedthathewasbeingmadethebuttofridicule。
"Why，wewantyoutoallowthecaptivestoparadeintheevening，withtorch-lightsandmottoes。"
"Allright!"criedDicky，kindlinginaninstant；""n"Luby，"n"thedoat，"n"myhorn"toads，alle"cepttheonethatjustgottedawayinLaura"sbed；butmaybeshe"llfindhimto-night，sothey"llbeallthere。"
Thiswastoomuchforthevariouscommittees，andLaura"swildshriekwasthesignalforahastyadjournment。Acommondangerrestoredpeacetotheassembly，andtheysoughttherunawayinperfectharmony。
"Well，"saidJack，whenquietwasrestored，"IamgoingalittledistanceupthePicoNegrotrail；therearesomemagnificentSpanishbayonetsgrowingthere，andifyou"llletmehavePancho，UncleDoc，wecanbringdownfourofthemandlashthemtoeachofthecornersofElsie"stent，——they"llkeepfreshseveraldaysinwater，youknow。"
"Takehim，certainly，"saidDr。Winship。
"Doletmegowithyou!"pleadedLaura，withenthusiasm。"Ishouldlikethewalksomuch。"
"It"sprettyrough，Laura，"objectedMargery。"Ifyoucouldn"tendureourwalkthismorning，youwouldnevergethomealivefromPicoNegro。"
"Oh，thatwasintheheatoftheday，"sheanswered。"Ifeelequaltoanyamountofwalkingnow，ifJackdoesn"tmindtakingme。"
"Delighted，ofcourse，MissLaura。You"llbewillingtocarryhomeoneofthetrees，Isuppose，inreturnforthepleasureofmysociety?"
"Snubhimseverely，Laura，"criedBell；"weneverallowhimtosaysuchthingsunreproved。"
"Ithinkheissnubbedtoomuchalready，"repliedLaura，withacharmingsmile，"andIshallseehowacourseofencouragementwillaffecthisbehaviour。"
"ThatwillbewhatIlonghavesought，AndmournedbecauseIfounditnot，"
sangJack，nonchalantly。
"Oh，Laura，"remonstratedBell，"thinktwicebeforeyouencouragehiminhisdreadfulways。Wehavestudiedhimverycarefully，andweknowthattheonlywaytolivewithhimistokeephiminasortof"pintpot"wherewecanholdthelidopenjustalittle，andclapitdownsuddenlywheneverhetriestospringout。"
"Donotmindthatyoungperson，MissLaura，butformyourownimpressionsofmycharmingcharacter。Excuseme，please，whileIputonacelluloidcollar，andmakesomefewchangesinmytoiletnecessarytoaproperappearanceinyourdistinguishedcompany。"
"Ipreferyouasyouare，"answeredLaura，laughingly。"Letusstartatonce。"
"Doyouhearthat，youngperson?SheprefersmeasIare!Nowseewhatmagicpowerhergenerosityhasuponme!"Andhedartedintothetent，fromwhichheissuedinamomentwithhisDerbyhat，amanzanitacane，apocket-handkerchieftiedabouthisthroat，andaflowerpinnedonhisflannelcamping-shirt——amostridiculousfigure，sincenothingseemssooutofplaceinthewoodsasanysuggestionofcitycostumesorcustoms。Laurawasinhighgood-humour，andlookedexceedinglybrilliantandpretty，asshealwaysdidwhenshewasthecentralfigureofanygrouporthebrightparticularstarofanyoccasion。
"Behomebeforedark，"saidDr。Winship。"Pancho，keepalook-outforthepack-mule。Truth，oneofthepack-muleshasdisappeared。"
"So?DumplingorDitto?"
"Ditto，curiouslyenough。Hisnameshouldhaveledhimnottosetanexample，buttofollowone。"
Elsiecame。
Perhapsyouthoughtthatthiswasgoingtobeanexcitingstory，andthatsomethingwouldhappentokeepherattheTacitasranch；butnothingdid。Everythingcametopassexactlyasitwasarranged，andJackmethismotherandsisterattwelveo"clocksomefourmilesfromthecamp，andescortedthemtothegates。
"Welcome"hadbeenpaintedontwentydifferentboardsorbitsofwhiteclothandpaper，andnailedhereandthereonthetreesthatlinedtheroughwood-road；thestrainsofanorchestra，formedofaguitar，banjo，castanets，Chinesefiddle，andtincans，greetedthemfromadistance，butwereproperlyallowedtodieawayinsilencewhentheguestnearedthetents。Everythingworeanewandsmilingface，andElsienevercamemoredangerouslynearbeingsqueezedtodeath。
Elsie，intheprettiestofginghamdresses，andhercloudofgoldenhairbraidedintwofunnylittlepugstokeepitoutofthedust；
Elsie，withawidehatthatshadedherface，alreadyalittletannedandburned，nolongercolourless；Elsie，withnolinesofpaininherprettyforehead，andthehollowringgonefromhervoice；Elsie，whojumpedoverthewheelofthewagon，andhuggedherhuggerswiththestrengthofayoungbear!Itwastoogoodtobelieve，andnobodydidquitebelieveitfordays。
Atthreeo"clockthehappiestpartyintheworldassembledattheroughdining-tableunderthesycamore-trees。
Elsiebeameduponthefeastfromthehigh-backedmanzanitachair，afaintcolourinhercheeks，andstarryprismsoflightinapairofeyesthathadnotsparkledformanyawearymonth。HopYetsmiledatriflehimself，worehiscapwitharedbuttononthetoptowaituponthetable，andministeredtothehungrypeoplewithmoreinterestandalacritythanhehadshownsincehehadbeendraggedfromSantaBarbara，hisJoss，andhisnightlygameoffantan。Andsuchadinnerashehadpreparedinhonouroftheoccasion!——longerbyfourcoursesthanusual，andeachpersonwasallowedtwoplatesinthecourseofthemeal。