g
gentleman for his awkwardness.

Everybody, too, was satisfied--the vicar and Miss Pimpernell, at the
success of the treat and the pleasure of the school-children; the
churchwardens, that the expenses did not come out of their pockets; Lady
Dasher, at Mr Mawley's attentions to her daughter, which she really
thought "quite marked;" and the rest of us, more youthful members of the
parish gathering, at the general delightfulness of the day's outing--the
excursion by water, the picnic in the park, the gipsying, the fresh
breeze, the bright sun, the everything!

I was happy, too, although I had not yet had a chance of speaking to Min
privately--in the boat there were more listeners near than I cared for,
and on shore she was too busy entertaining a small crowd of toddlekins,
for whose delectation she told deeply-involved fairy stories, and wove
unlimited daisy-chains of intricate patterns and simple workmanship.
Still, I knew that before night closed, I should have the wished-for
opportunity of telling my tale; and, in the meantime, I was quite
contented to sit near her, and hear her sweet voice, and be certain that
she did not care for Mr Mawley after all!

The day could not pass, however, without the curate and I having our
customary spar; and it happened in this wise.

On our way down to the gondola, after packing up the omnibus contingent
of juveniles safely, in company with their mothers and a hecatomb of
emptied baskets, and seeing the party off with a parting cheer from both
sides, Miss Spight amiably suggested that she thought it was going to
rain; at which, of course, there arose a general outcry.

"Dear me," said Miss Pimpernell, "I believe you are right, for, there
are the midges dancing, too! I hope none of you girls will get your new
bonnets spoilt! But, you needn't be alarmed, my dears," she added to
reassure us, "it is certain not to come down before morning, if you will
take an old woman's word for it."

"You may believe Sally, and set your minds at ease," said the vicar.
"She's a rare judge of the weather, and as good as a farmer or sailor in
that respect."

"Are the midges a sign of rain?" asked Min; "I never heard that before."

"Yes, my dear," said Miss Pimpernell, seating herself in the gondola,
which we had now reached. "They always dance about twelve hours or so
before it rains."

"Are there not some other signs given by animals, also, when there is
going to be a change in the weather?"