It
would be too tiring for you or my mother, for I want to fly to pasture
new and go some little distance; but if I speak nicely to little Mrs
Bryce, she'll come like a shot, and be an addition to the party, for she
is a dear little soul, and younger than many people of half her age.
You'll trust the girls to me, won't you, if I can fix it up?"

"Of course I will! It will be a pleasant break in the midst of our
preparations. Where do you think of going? Have you made any plans, or
is it still in the air?"

Arthur nodded his head in complacent fashion. "Now I'll tell you all
about it! I have been making inquiries for the last few days, and have
pretty well made out my programme. This picnic is to be given in
Esther's honour, and for once I am going to be extravagant, and hire a
saloon carriage to take us in state to the place where we would be. You
live in the country, and woods and dales are no novelty to you, so we
are going to be adventurous this time, and go to the sea!"

"The sea!" echoed Mrs Asplin in dismay; but her quiet voice was drowned
by the chorus of exclamations in which the girls gave vent to their
delight. To people who live in inland places the very idea of visiting
the sea brings with it a sense of exhilaration, and the expectation of
Arthur's picnic was trebled at once by the sound of that magic name.
They questioned eagerly, even Eunice putting in her query with the rest,
and Arthur smilingly unfolded his scheme.

A two hours' journey would take them within five miles of an East Coast
village, where some years before he had discovered an ideal spot for a
picnic. This was no less than a tiny island lying out some distance
from the shore--a charming little islet, its shores washed by the waves,
its crest covered with grass, and shadowed by a tuft of trees. There
were a few good boats to be obtained, and the fishermen would help Rob
and himself to row the party across, while, once arrived on the island,
what could be more delightful than to sit on the sand with the waves
splashing up to their very feet, to drink in the fresh sea breeze, and
enjoy their luncheon under the shade of the trees? They would have to
leave early, as it might grow chilly in such an exposed place, but as
the last train left the station at seven o'clock, they would have no
temptation to prolong their stay.

The chorus of delight grew louder than ever as he spoke, and Mrs
Asplin's feeble objections were scarcely allo