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。