"You need the exercise," declared Cecilia.

"Clip, you go fetch some," suggested Cora, "and I'll give you half
my pie."

Without another word Clip was on her feet, had upset Daisy's
improvised table of sticks and paper napkins in her haste to
secure the water bottle, and was now running over the hill toward
the spring.

Presently she stopped as if listening to something. Then she
turned and hurried back to the party on the grass. Her face was
white with alarm.

"Oh!" she gasped. "I heard the awfullest groans! Some one must
be either dying for a drink, or dying from a drink. The groans
were wet!"

Cora jumped up, as did some of the others.

"Come on," said Cora. "I'm not afraid. Some one may need help."

"Oh, they do - I am sure," panted Cecilia. "All kinds of help, I
should say. The moans were chromatic."

"Listen!" commanded Cora, as the sounds came over the hill. Low,
then fierce growls and groans, tapering down to grunts and
exclamation marks sounded through the grove.

"Oh!" screamed Belle.