\'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，herhairstrayingoverthepillowOforhairthatwouldstrayanywhere!，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。