wasn't going to be so pleasant as that of the rest.

"I wish Papa _would_ take us somewhere," she said to Clover, as they
walked up the gravel path. "All the other girls' Papas do."

"He's too busy," replied Clover. "Beside, I don't think any of the rest
of the girls have half such good times as we. Ellen Robbins says she'd
give a million of dollars for such nice brothers and sisters as ours to
play with. And, you know, Maria and Susie have _awful_ times at home,
though they do go to places. Mrs. Fiske is so particular. She always
says 'Don't,' and they haven't got any yard to their house, or anything.
I wouldn't change."

"Nor I," said Katy, cheering up at these words of wisdom. "Oh, isn't it
lovely to think there won't be any school to-morrow? Vacations are just
splendid!" and she gave her bag another toss. It fell to the ground
with a crash.

"There, you've cracked your slate," said Clover.

"No matter, I sha'n't want it again for eight weeks," replied Katy,
comfortably, as they ran up the steps.

They burst open the front door and raced up stairs, crying "Hurrah!
hurrah! vacation's begun. Aunt Izzie, vacation's begun!" Then they
stopped short, for lo! the upper hall was all in confusion. Sounds of
beating and dusting came from the spare room. Tables and chairs were
standing about; and a cot-bed, which seemed to be taking a walk all by
itself, had stopped short at the head of the stairs, and barred the way.