ieces gathered up in
her skirt.

"No; we'll sit down and straighten this out and roll it up and finish
the cookies and throw away the box and then we'll go home."

It was hard to throw away any of the beautiful bark, for they had
gathered only fine specimens, and the quantity they finally selected to
keep was a goodly load.

"We'll put on our sweaters," said Dolly; "so we can carry it all. It's
no heavier than that lunch box was."

"No heavier," agreed Dotty; "but a good deal more bunglesome and awkward
to carry."

Each girl had a big fat roll under each arm and turning they started
gaily along in single file.

"You go first," said Dolly, stepping back; "I'm not sure I know the way.
I declare to goodness, Dot, I don't see how you remember the way
yourself. You've got a regular guide's brain under that black mop of
yours! How do you know which way to go, when you can't see anything but
trees?"

"Easy as pie!" Dotty called back over her shoulder. "Just follow the
nose of Dorothy Rose and away she goes!" And Dotty hopped over a big
stone, while Dolly walked around it.

On they went, Dotty leading the way and Dolly following.

"It's getting awfully late, I believe the sun has set," said Dolly,
shivering a little under her woollen sweater.

"Oh, no, the sun hasn't set, but you can't see it in these thick woods.
We'll soon be out of this thick part now. We came quite a way in,
Dollypops."

"A million miles, I should say! That's the worst of you, Dot, you never
realise that all the walk you take has got to be walked back again!"

"'I took a walk around the block, to get some exercise,'" Dotty chanted,
imitating a popular song which was a favourite with the boys.

"Exercise! I've had enough to last me the rest of the summer! Honest,
Dot, I've got to rest a few minutes; I can't walk another step."

"Dollyrinda Fayre, you do give out the easiest of anybody I ever saw!
Sit down on that stone and rest, do. But you mustn't wait long, for I
guess it _is_ about sunset. I feel sort of chilly, and I don't hear the
birds much."

"All right, Dotsy, I'm rested now," and Dolly jumped up and walked on.
She tired easily, but also a rest of a very few minutes made her ready
to walk on again. She followed Dotty in silence for some distance and
then said; "you're sure you _do_ know the way, aren't you?"

"M--hmm," Dotty flung back over her shoulder and trudged on.

But Dolly noticed a difference in Dotty's attitude. She wal