"Looks like you folks might be going on a picnic somewhere?" remarked
Hugh, taking his cue from something Brother Lu had said to him before.

"Just what we expect to do, lads," hastily replied the other, with
a wink, when he believed neither of the Hosmers was looking at him.
"You see, this happens to be Tilly's birthday. She hasn't had
a real one for ever so long, and Andrew and me, why, we've fixed
it that she should take a holiday from her drudgery and we'd all
go off for a little lark. Now, perhaps you two would like to keep
us company. How about that, boys? You've been pretty kind to my
sister, and we all feel that you're our good friends. What do you
say about tagging along? In my walks about this section of country,
I've chanced to make a few acquaintances. One of these is managing
a kind of pretty place about two miles away from here; and he suggested
that I fetch my sister and brother-in-law across country today.
He reckoned that they'd kind of enjoy looking over the nest his
employer has bought and fitted up, though he ain't really taken
possession yet. Tilly, tell Hugh and Thad they'll be welcome to
a snack with us at noon. This is a day we all want to remember,
you know. Let tomorrow and dull care look out for themselves.
That's the tramp's motto."

Matilda readily complied, and she meant it from the bottom of her
heart too, for she was becoming very fond of both boys. Doubtless
when she carried the basket back into the house to add to its contents,
she must have swept the pantry clean. But as Brother Lu said, why
bother about the future when they meant to have a whole day free
from carking care. Tomorrow would be time enough to take up the
heavy burdens of life again.