as our gentlemen have left us. We'll show them that we can
do without them, sure, when we like."

"How nice, auntie!" cried Miss Nellie, agreeing thoroughly in the
sentiment her aunt had expressed, the desertion of the Captain and Bob,
in addition to the fact of Dick having been also taken away, having
affected the young lady more than she had acknowledged. "What shall we
do first to be `jolly,' as Bob says?"

"I'll soon show you, me dearie," replied Mrs Gilmour. "Sure, you'll
say in a minute, Nell. Come now, me darlint, and help me."

Then ensued a pleasant task, one in which Rover especially evinced the
keenest interest, the sagacious retriever watching their every movement
with an attention that never faltered.

Needless almost to say, the agreeable occupation in question was that of
unpacking the hamper containing all the good things which Sarah had
packed and Dick had brought from the house for their picnic in the
woods.

Aye, it was in the woods; and under the woods, too!

Encircled by a hedge of green shrubbery and thicket undergrowth, amidst
which the wild-flowers of the forest stood out here and there, their
brightest tints gleaming with a wealth of colouring which nature's gems
alone display, Mrs Gilmour selected a nice smooth stretch of velvety
turf for their table.

On this, she proceeded to lay a damask cloth, whose snowy whiteness
contrasted vividly with its surroundings; for, a clump of silver birches
joined in hand-clasp with a straggling oak overhead, sheltering the
grass-plot with their welcome shade from the heat of the noonday sun,
while, over all, a lofty spreading elm extended its sturdy branches,
like outstretched arms, above its lesser brethren below, as if saying
paternally, "Bless you, my children!"

Having daintily arranged the contends of the hamper to the best
advantage on the open-air banqueting-table, an enormous veal-and-ham
pie, their chief dish, in the centre, Mrs Gilmour and Nellie surveyed
their handiwork with much complacency.

"Sure, and I don't think a single thing has been forgotten," observed
the former with pardonable pride, after a critical inspection of the
various viands. "At most of the picnics I have participated in, either
the salt, or the mustard, or something else has been left behind; but,
to-day, I believe Sarah has remembered everything!"

"Yes, I'm sure she has, auntie dear!" cried Miss Nellie with equal
enthusiasm. "Here's the kettle for us to boil