"Good-bye, Hester," and after an affectionate kiss the two girls parted.

"Goo'-bye, Queenie Sandy," called Tom, as they separated at the turn of
the path.

"Good-bye, Tom, you old Grand Sandjandrum!" and then the Maynards ran
into their own house.

"Gently, my lad and lassie; gently!" warned Mrs. Maynard, as her two
young hopefuls flung themselves upon her.

"Oh, Mothery," cried Marjorie, "we had _such_ a good time! And our court
journal was lovely! Want to see it? And King fixed it up so beautifully,
and Hester made such _dear_ pictures for it! Oh, Mother, isn't it
splendid to have so much fun?"

"Yes, dearie," and Mrs. Maynard stroked the flushed brow of her
energetic and excitable daughter. "But when you come in from your play,
you must be a little bit quieter and more ladylike. I don't want to
think that these merry companions of yours are making you really
boisterous."

"They are, though," said King. "I like the Craigs and Hester Corey, but
they sure are the noisy bunch!"

"Oh, King, not _quite_ so much slang!"

"No, Mother, we won't get gay! We'll try to please you every way! But
we're feeling rather spry to-day! So please excuse us, Mothery May!"