an awning above the green grass that grew luxuriantly about the old
house, deposited their baskets of provisions and extra wraps underneath
it, put the horses into a barn near at hand, and strolled down to the
pond.

A whaleboat, large enough to hold the entire company, was presently
hired; all embarked; it moved slowly out into the lake; all who cared to
fish were supplied with tackle and bait, and the sport began.

Elsie, Violet, and Grace declined to take part in it, but Zoe, Betty,
and Lulu were very eager and excited, sending forth shouts of triumph or
of merriment as they drew one victim after another from the water; for
the fish seemed eager to take the bait, and were caught in such numbers
that soon the word was given that quite enough were now on hand, and the
boat was headed for the shore.

A fire was made in the sand, and while some broiled the fish and made
coffee, others spread a snowy cloth upon the grass, and placed on it
bread and butter, cold biscuits, sandwiches, pickles, cakes, jellies,
canned fruits, and other delicacies.

It was a feast fit for a king, and all the more enjoyable that the sea
air and pleasant exercise had sharpened the appetites of the fortunate
partakers.

Then, the meal disposed of, how deliciously restful it was to lounge
upon the grass, chatting, singing, or silently musing with the sweet,
bracing air all about them, the pretty sheet of still water almost at
their feet, while away beyond it and the dividing strip of sand the
ocean waves tossed and rolled, showing here and there a white, slowly