id Florence, "we 'cided all about it coming along,
didn't we, Eff? It's we's who haves to cough, not mother, an' we don't
mind, do we, Eff?"

"Not a bit," said Effie stoutly.

"But," said Paul, looking at the opening of the bower as if she would
dash out, "we promised your mother."

Effie and Florence cut off any possible escape by jumping up and
standing with their backs to the opening. "It's too late, we've caught
it by now,--haven't we, Eff?" said Florence.

"Of course we have," said Effie, "we've got it as much as you have now.
Oh we are glad. Aren't we, Florence?"

"Rather," said Florence.

"Won't your Aunt Kate be coming after you?" asked Paul, looking
fearfully along the side of the gorge for the sight of a stout figure of
vengeance crushing downwards to separate them.

"She thinks we're only a little way in front," chuckled the naughty
children.

"But who's taking care of you?" persisted Paul.

"Oh, Miss Dora and Miss Bee said they would, but they always let us do
anything," said Effie easily, "it was such a lovely chance."

"Well, I think you are big sillies," said Pauline virtuously, but she
began untwisting Effie's tight brown curls and twisting them together
again in the way she had ever loved to do.

While as to Lynn and Florence, they were almost rubbing noses in the joy
of the reunion.

"It's just _too_ dreadful at the hotel," said Effie, "we'd rather be at
school. There's nothing to do all day."

"'Cept walk along the road with nurse, and mind you don't get your good
school frock spoiled"--Effie's was the complaint. "Can't have fun in the
hotel garden or you spoil their silly old beds."

"Can't shout in the house or a lot of old ladies put their fingers up at
you."

"Can't make a mud pie like at your house, 'cause you've got to be clean
all the time."

The angry duet went on and on till the spirits of the little holland
frocks were somewhat relieved, after the restrictions imposed upon them
by the residence of their parents for a "holiday" in a fashionable
hotel.

"We just long and long for 'Greenways'."

"We talk in bed about the fun we used to have in the orchard till we
nearly cry. Don't we, Eff?"

"Rather," said Effie, mournfully, "but now we'll be able to come, 'cause
we'll all have whooping cough, too. Frank and Ted and Nellie all say
they'd rather have it than stop away from 'Greenways' any longer."

Up through the ferns came the thin note of Miss Bibby's cooee.

"Coo-