第11章
Everybodywashilariousoverthisdecisionsavethemen-of-all-work,wholongedunspeakablyforalesspoeticexistence——HopYetparticularly,whothoughtcampingout"notmucheegood。"
Dickywasmorepleasedthananybody,perhaps,aseverydayinthecanyonwasonedaylessinschool;notthathehadeverbeentoschool,butheknewinadvance,instinctively,thatitwouldn"tsuithim。Accordingly,hesoughtthewettestpossibleplacesandplayedalldaywithsuperhumanenergy。HefinallyfoundHopYet"sboxofblueingunderatree,inaverymoistandattractivestateoffluidity,andjustbeforedinnerimprovedthelastshininghourbypaintinghimselfabrillianthueandappearingatdinnerinsuchafiendishguisethathefrightenedthefamilyintofits。
NowDr。Winshipwasoneofthemostweather-wisemeninCalifornia,andhispredictionswerealwaysquitesafeandsensible;butsomehoworotheritdidrainagainintwoorthreedays,anditpouredharderthanever,too。Tobesure,itclearedpromptly,butthedoctorwasafraidtotrustsofickleapersonastheClerkoftheWeatherhadbecome,andmarchingorderswereissued。
Theboystrampedoveralltheirfavouritebitsofcountry,andthegirlsvisitedalltheirbestbelovedhaunts,everyoneofthemdearfromathousandcharmingassociations。TheylookedforthelasttimeinMirrorPool,andsawthereflectionoftheirfaces——rathergravefacesjustthen,overtheleave-taking。
Thewater-mirrormighthavebeengladtokeepthepictureforeveronitssurface——Margerywithhersleekbraidsandsereneforehead;withPolly,saucynoseandmischievouseyes,laughingatyoulikeamerrywater-sprite;Bell,withherbrilliantcheeksglowingliketworosesjustfalleninthebrook;andGoldElsie,who,ifyouhadputaframeofgreenleavesaboutherdelicatefaceandyellowlocks,wouldhavelookedupatyoulikeawater-lily。
TheywaftedafarewelltoPicoNegro,andhavinggotridoftheboys,privatelyembracedacertainWhisperingTreeunderwhosesingingbranchestheyhadbeenwonttolieandlistentoallthemurmuringthatwentonintheforest。
Thentheyclamberedintothegreatthorough-bracewagon,wheretheyallsatingloomysilencefortenminutes,whileDicky"stanterrierwasfoundforthefourthtimethatmorning;andthelongtrain,withitsbaggage-carts,itssaddle-horsesanditsdoggedlittlepack-
mules,moveddowntherockysteepsthatledtocivilisation。Thegatethatshuttheminfromthecountyroadandtheouterworldwasopenedforthelasttime,andshutwithaclang,anditwasallover——
theirsummerinacanyon!