Susie had settled themselves cozily in one corner and were reading
together. Mr. Leonard was nodding over the pages of his weekly
newspaper. Frank, stretched out on the settee, was absorbed in a new
book, while not far away Donald lay under the spreading branches of a
spruce tree with Barri by his side. Uncle Robert stood gazing at the
green woods, which looked so cool and inviting.

"'The groves were God's first temples,'" he said to himself, and then,
turning to the others, asked, "Who wants to go for a walk?"

"I do," said Frank, springing up. "Come on, Don. Don-ald!" he called,
"we're going for a walk."

"You'd better come with us," said Uncle Robert to Mrs. Leonard.

"I'll get your hat, mother," cried Susie eagerly, running into the
house.

"Shall we go to the cornfield?" asked Mr. Leonard, picking up his straw
hat.

"I think it would be cooler in the woods," said Mrs. Leonard.

"Oh, yes," said Donald, "let's go up the creek to the pond."

The country was in the full glory of early summer. Just beyond the rich
green of the great cornfield could be seen the peaceful river. The
yellowing grain on the upland waved gently in the breeze. Under the
wide-spreading oak trees in the pasture the cows were lazily chewing
their cuds. A feeling of quiet pleasure filled the air.