of paper pasted over the top of the lantern.

"Very fine indeed," said Mamma Bobbsey. "Run out now to play. If
you stay in the house too much you will soon lose all the lovely
tan you got in the country, and at the seashore."

"Children," said the principal to the Bobbseys and all the others
in school the next day, "I have a little treat for you. To-morrow
will be a holiday, and, as the weather is very warm, we will close
the school at noon, and go off in the woods for a little picnic."

"Oh, good!" cried a number of the boys and girls, and, though it
was against the rules to speak aloud during the school hours, none
of the teachers objected.

"But I expect you all to have perfect marks from now until Friday,"
Mr. Tetlow went on. "You may bring your lunches to school with
you Friday morning, if your parents will let you, and we will leave
here at noon, and go to Ward's woods."

It was rather hard work to study after such good news, but, somehow,
the pupils managed it. Finally Friday came, and nearly every boy
and girl came to school with a basket or bundle holding his or
her lunch. Mrs. Bobbsey put up two baskets for her children, Nan
taking one and Bert the other.

"Oh, we'll have a lovely time!" cried Freddie, dancing about on
his little fat legs.

Twelve o'clock came, and with each teacher at the head of her class,