"Splendid idea," declared Tavia, "I do need so much a little Brownie or
a goblin to help me with my housework. Fancy going home with a dear
little Jackanapes to carry my 'dinner pail'!" and at this suggestion
every one seemed to enjoy the grotesque idea that Tavia had outlined.

The grove was finally reached, and the happy picnic party lost no time
in leaving the wagons, and making for the "best spots."

But no sooner had they entered the great tall gateway than they were set
upon by a tribe of very lively goblins, for, from behind tree and bush
there darted upon the unsuspecting girls a rollicking, frolicking band
of boys--the boys' school having come to the grove to surprise the
girls, and help them enjoy the breaking up picnic.

"I told you we might find the woods enchanted," said Alice who, of
course had learned of the secret, as it was Mr. MacAllister who provided
the wagons for the boys as well as for the girls.

Such running about and such shouting! Some lads had hidden in the pines
and now as the girls ran through the grove, the "goblins" dropped down
upon their unsuspecting heads.

Tavia and Alice helped make things livelier by gathering up parasols and
lunch boxes that had been left in the wagons for safety. These they gave
to the boys, who lost no time in forming a brigade, parasols in the air
and boxes under arms, to the distress and dismay of the unlucky owners.

But there was still another surprise in store for the school children.
When everything was fairly settled down for a day in the woods, a two
seated carriage drove in, and in this were President of the Town