was busily clearing rubbish from the camping-ground. This was six
o'clock, and by a little after eight the weary, happy party were
seated on saddle-blankets and carriage-cushions round a cheery camp-
fire, eating a frugal meal, which tasted sweeter than nectar and
ambrosia to their keen appetites.

The boys expressed their intention of spending the night in unpacking
their baggage and getting to rights generally, but Dr. Winship placed
a prompt and decisive veto on this proposition, and they submitted
cheerfully to his better judgment.

Getting to bed was an exciting occupation for everybody. Dicky was
first tucked up in a warm nest of rugs and blankets, under a tree,
and sank into a profound slumber at once, with the happy
unconsciousness of childhood. His father completed the preparations
for his comfort by opening a huge umbrella and arranging it firmly
over his head, so that no falling leaf might frighten him and no
sudden gust of air blow upon his face.

Bell stood before her hammock, and meditated. 'Well,' she said,
'going to bed is a simple matter after all, when you have shorn it of
all useless formalities. Let me see: I generally walk to and fro in
the room, eating a bunch of grapes or an orange, look out of the
window five or ten minutes, brush my hair, read my chapter in the
Bible, take my book and study Spanish five minutes, on the principle
of that abnormal woman who learned ninety-six languages while she was
waiting for the kettle to boil in the morning--'

'Must have been a slow boiler,' interrupted Polly, wickedly. 'Seems
to me it would have been economy to sell it and buy a new one.'