any, one after
the other--even the Baby doll and the Gunki who bore the stretcher.
But the Billiken did look very funny drinking out of the Teacup; and
it was just at that moment that they were startled by a little
gurgling sound in the tree above them (as if a Brownie had overturned
a blue honey-pitcher, and the little drops were tumbling over each
other upon a silver floor) and Sara's lost laugh sprang from the top
of the tree to the ground, and went tinkling off again among the
rocks. They all looked after it with their mouths open, as a fisherman
gazes at the hook from which he has just lost the largest fish that
ever was on sea or land.

"There, now! If we had only been more watchful!" exclaimed the
Japanese doll. The pink tulle lady-doll hat had slipped far back on
his perspiring head; he looked as if he had come a long way.

"I thought I saw something moving up in the tree--I was just going to
speak about it," said the plucky little Kewpie, who, being compelled
to lie on his back, had been gazing straight up into the branches.

"Well!" said Schlorge grimly. "It won't do that again."

They all saw that Schlorge had something on his mind, and began to
watch him as he took his gimlet out of his pocket and began to cut a
small willow wand.

"What are you going to do, Schlorge?" asked the Japanese doll, who was
a good sort of a person, but a little lacking in tact.

"Never mind me," said Schlorge, "the rest of you take a nap!"

Sara saw that his professional pride, as the leader and practical man
of the party, had been hurt by the escape of her laugh; and he spoke
so crossly that they all turned around and began to try to make
conversation to cover their embarrassment. But they didn't succeed
very well; and presently the Baby spoke the thought that was uppermost
in everybody's mind.

"I'm hungry!" he said.

Alas, so were they all! It was no use trying to disguise it! So the
Snimmy said, almost tearfully, "Why didn't we think to bring some
lunch?"

"Humph!" retorted his wife. "You'd never think of anything--except
dimples!"

So saying, she took down a large hamper which she had been carrying on
her head, and removed the cloth which was tucked neatly over it. They
had all noticed the hamper, but supposed it was Avrillia's wash, which
the Snimmy's wife always took home on Poppyday.

Now it proved to be packed full of a rich and varied picnic luncheon,
the sight and aroma of which made even the Brown Teddy