he autos are here already with the rest of the
people. There are the Carsons and here comes Miss Pomeroy."

"And there is Tabitha's father in his new machine."

"Yes, and mine," said Myra. "My! won't he be mad to think we aren't
even dressed? If there is one thing above another that he abominates,
it is having to wait for a woman to get ready to go somewhere. Well, I
suppose I'll have to break the news to him. Then after you have all
gone home again, won't I get the dickens?"

"Hold on!" cried Tabitha, as Myra started for the door. "There is no
need of that, is there? I've got a brilliant inspiration. Didn't you
say when you investigated the larder last night that your aunt must
have baked just a-purpose for our visit?"

"Yes, words to that effect. There is a whole crock full of doughnuts
and another of cookies. She must have had baking day just before she
decided to take her little trip. But why?"

"We'll just fill our pockets----"

"Haven't any!"

"Well, our hands, then, and eat our breakfast on the sly."

"On the _fly_ you mean," said Gwynne, sarcastically.

"To be exact, yes. Or perhaps it would be better to pretend that we
just found the supplies as we were about to leave the house. That will
be the truth, so far as the most of us are concerned. Won't it?"

"But cookies and doughnuts are pretty slim fare for hungry bodies,"
grumbled Vera, tugging at an unruly collar.

"Better than nothing," said Bessie cheerfully. "Dinner will taste all
the better."

"But we aren't ready," objected Julia, slipping the last hairpin in the
heavy coil at the back of her head. "My shoes aren't buttoned yet, and
I can't scare up a hook in the whole outfit."

"Bring 'em in your hand, then," suggested Gwynne. "I'm ready now, and
I elect myself commissary general to distribute the rations as you pass
out. Who'll be first in line? Gather up your bedding, Jessie, and
stack it in the corner, else Myra's aunt will think tramps camped here
instead of civilized human beings. Now, are you all clothed and in
your right minds? Then, Grace, poke your head out of the window and
announce to the audience that we will be out in a minute. Where are
your hats and coats? Yes, Kate, there'll be time for you to wash your
face if you haven't been able to do so before. Look pleasant, please!
No one must suspect that we've had no breakfast; but in my mind's eye,
I can see this bunch stowing away their dinner three or four