up
tight? But, I suppose, in those days nobody minded. I know I mind
now--awfully! I'm just crazy to be off on a spree. What shall we do,
Joan? Think of something."

"Mittie, dear----"

"That's right. You've got a notion. Have it out!"

"It isn't--what you think. I have something else to say. A note has come
from Mrs. Ferris."

"Well--what then?"

"She wants me--us--to go to her for the day."

Mittie clapped her hands.

"Us! Both of us, do you mean? How lovely! I didn't know she was aware of
my existence. Oh, yes, of course, I've seen her lots of times, but she
always seems to think I'm a child still. She never asked me there before
for a whole day. How are we to go? Will she send for us?"

"Yes, but--but, Mittie--we can't both leave Grannie all those hours. She
would be so hurt."

"So cross, you mean. You don't expect _me_ to stay behind, I hope!
_Me_--to spend a long endless day here, poking in Grannie's bedroom, and
picking up her stitches, and being scolded for every mortal thing I do
and don't do, while you are off on a lovely jaunt! Not I! You're very
much mistaken if that is what you expect. Will Mrs. Ferris send the
carriage or the motor?"

"She is sending the boat. And her son----"

"What! is he going to row us? That nice fellow! He rows splendidly, I
know. I shall get him to let me take an oar. It's as easy as anything,
going down the stream. Oh, we must do it, Joan--we really, really
_must_! Grannie will have to put up for once with being alone. Is he
coming by himself?"

"Yes--no--I mean, he will drop his sister Mary at The Laurels and come
on for us, and then take her up as we go back."

"The Laurels? Oh, just a few minutes off. Mary--she's the eldest. When
does he come? Eleven o'clock! No time to waste. We must put on our new
frocks. You had better tell Grannie at once that we are going. I shall
keep out of her way. You'll manage her best."

"But if she doesn't like to be left?"

"Then she'll have to do without the liking! Yes, I know what you mean,
Joan. You want me to stay here, and set you free. And I'm not going to
do it. I simply won't--won't--won't! It's no earthly use your trying to
make me. I'm asked too, and I mean to go."

"Mittie, you've not seen the note yet. I think you ought to read it. She
asks me first--and then she just says, would I like to bring----?"

"It doesn't matter, and I don't want to see! It's enough that I'm
invited." Mittie had a quick temper, apt to flar