"Oh, yes!" said Elsie, wiping her eyes; "that will do beautifully,
papa. Only, it seems such a pity that Alexander should have to go
twice when it's so hot; for we're perfectly sure to want to stay
a week."

Papa only laughed, as he kissed her. All being settled the children
began to get ready. It was quite an excitement packing the bags, and
deciding what to take and what not to take. Elsie grew bright and gay
with the bustle. Just to think of being in the country,--the cool
green country,--made her perfectly happy, she declared. The truth
was, she was a little feverish and not quite well, and didn't know
exactly how she felt or what she wanted.

The drive out was pleasant, except that Alexander upset John's gravity,
and hurt Elsie's dignity very much, by inquiring, as they left the
gate, "Do the little misses know where it is that they want to go?"
Part of the way the road ran through woods. They were rather boggy
woods; but the dense shade kept off the sun, and there was a spicy
smell of evergreens and sweet fern. Elsie felt that the good time
had fairly begun and her spirits rose with every turn of the wheels.

By and by they left the woods, and came out again into the sunshine.
The road was dusty, and so were the fields, and the ragged sheaves
of corn-stalks, which dotted them here and there, looked dusty too.
Piles of dusty red apples lay on the grass, under the orchard trees.
Some cows going down a lane toward their milking shed, mooed in a
dispirited and thirsty way, which made the children feel thirsty also.

"I want a drink of water awfully," said John. "Do you suppose it's