uld make a snap at
some flies; if Betty spoke to him, his whole body would wriggle with
ecstasy; he seemed to live on her smiles and caressing words.

'It will be very dull to spend the day with a grown-up person,' said
Douglas presently; 'I'm glad she didn't ask me; I never do care for
grown-up persons.'

His lordly air in making this assertion helped to fortify Molly, who
was bitterly disappointed in not being included in the invitation.

'I love her!' exclaimed Betty; 'she's the nicest grown-up I've ever
seen. She does laugh so, and isn't a bit proper.'

'Well, you'll be sick of it before the day is over, you see if you
aren't! Now Molly and I are going to have a lovely day. Would you
like to know what we're going to do?'

Molly listened eagerly, for Douglas's plans were always sudden and
unexpected.

'We're going off directly after breakfast with our dinner in our
basket, and we're going down to the brook. I'm going to build a bridge
over it at the widest part!'

Both sisters looked aghast at this audacity.

'What will you build it of?' questioned Betty sceptically.

'Of stones and clay. We shall make the clay down there; and I shall
put a few boards in, and make it all smooth with some putty that I saw
in the stable.'

'You will fall in the water and get drowned,' said Betty; and then she
jumped up and ran off to the house, to escape a pelting shower of small
green apples from her irate brother.

Nurse made a few objections at first, when she heard of Betty's
invitation; but when she knew that Miss Fairfax was going to call for
her little guest, and had promised to bring her safely back again, she
gave the required permission; and Betty's sleep that night was full of
wonderful dreams about her coming visit.

She woke very early the next morning, and was full of confidences to
Prince of all that they were going to do and say. She gave nurse no
rest after breakfast until she had dressed her in her best white frock
and tan shoes and stockings; then, with her large white Leghorn hat and
little white silk gloves, she sat up on a chair in the best front
parlour, feeling very important, and making a dainty little picture as
she sat there. Prince had a piece of pink ribbon tied round his neck;
Mrs. Giles had produced it from her work-basket, and had gained a
fervent kiss and hug from the little maiden thereby.

At last Nesta arrived in a low pony carriage, to Betty's intense
delight. She wished tha