ou arrive."

Annie's face, a truly April one, changed as if by magic. The tears dried
on her cheeks; her eyes filled with sunlight; she was all eager for the
coming fun.

"Then we won't lose a moment, Phyllis," she said: "we'll see what that
duck of a Betty has done for us."

The three girls scampered down the back avenue, where they found five of
their companions, among them Susan Drummond, standing in different
attitudes of expectation near a very large and low-growing laurel-tree.
Every one raised a shout when Annie appeared; she was undoubtedly
recognized as queen and leader of the proceedings. She took her post
without an instant's hesitation, and began ordering her willing subjects
about.

"Now, is the coast clear? yes, I think so. Come, Susie, greedy as you
are, you must take your part. You alone of all of us can cackle with the
exact imitation of an old hen: get behind that tree at once and watch the
yard. Don't forget to cackle for your life if you even see the shadow of
a footfall. Nora, my pretty birdie, you must be the thrush for the nonce;
here, take your post, watch the lawn and the front avenue. Now then,
girls, the rest of us can see what spoils Betty has provided for us."

The basket was dragged from its hiding-place, and longing faces peered
eagerly and greedily into its contents.

"Oh, oh! I say, cherries! and what a lot! Good Betty! dear, darling Betty!
you gathered those from your own trees, and they are as ripe as your
apple-blossom cheeks! Now then, what next? I do declare, meringues! Betty
knew my weakness. Twelve meringues--that is one and a half apiece; Susan
Drummond sha'n't have more than her share. Meringues and cheesecakes
and--tartlets--oh! oh! what a duck Betty is! A plum-cake--good, excellent
Betty, she deserves to be canonized! What have we here? Roast
chickens--better and better! What is in this parcel? Slices of ham; Betty
knew she dare not show her face again if she forgot the ham. Knives and
forks, spoons--fresh rolls--salt and pepper, and a dozen bottles of
ginger-beer, and a little corkscrew in case we want it."

These various exclamations came from many lips. The contents of the
basket were carefully and tenderly replaced, the lid was fastened down,
and it was once more consigned to its hiding place under the thick boughs
of the laurel.

Not a moment too soon, for just at this instant Susan cackled fiercely,
and the little group withdrew, Annie first whispering:

"At t