With a wave of her hand she flew down the path through the row of old
apple trees. She wanted to shout and to sing, but as that might
startle the entire island, she indulged in a joyous handspring instead!

"Of course, Anne, darling, if _you_ could see me you'd look
shocked--you'd say, 'Nancy Leavitt, when _are_ you going to grow up!'
But, Annie, if growing up and up and up is going to be to grow like
your Aunt Sabrina, sitting all the day long dwelling on the glories
that are past and gone--never--never--_never_!" The girl flung her
arms out toward the blue waters of the lake. "If I had a wish I'd wish
that I could swim straight out across you--to those purple
mountains--over there!"

It was very still in the orchard; cool, too, for the hot June sun only
penetrated in spots the outspreading branches of the old trees.
Gradually the tumult of longing in Nancy's mind quieted; a sense of
delicious quiet inspired her.

"It's heavenly here--just as though I was all alone in the world." She
turned slowly around. Not a glimpse of any habitation could be seen,
the rows of trees hid even Happy House. And beyond was the stretch of
sparkling water, with its rim of hazy, purple hills.

Nancy ran to the apple tree nearest the cliff. It was very old, its
branches grew close to the ground. In a moment she had climbed them
and had perched herself comfortably upon one with her back resting
against another.

"It must be nice to be a bird," she mused, touching lightly the glossy
leaves about her. "Playing in tree-tops and when you're bored to
death, simply flying off without so much as an excuse! Or a
wood-nymph," wistfully. Then her drooping shoulder suddenly
straightened, under the stimulation of an idea. She sprang to the
ground. "Oh, _rapture_!" she cried, and raced back toward Happy House.

Half an hour later Jonathan, having made peace with B'lindy, found her
in the old carriage house. Two shiny nails protruding from her teeth
and a hammer in her hands betrayed that she had found his tool-box.
Her face, through smudges of dust, wore a look of determination.

"You've come just in time to help me, Jonathan. I must get the top of
_this_ box off and fasten it to _that_ box--so it'll open and shut.
Then you must find a piece of leather for hinges and some oil cloth. I
think that you have everything on earth hidden in this place--except
carriages!"

Because, with Jonathan, it had been love at first sight, he obe