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quarrel as we did this very day about the wagon. Jack cant always drive, and neednt be mad because I like to go with Frank. Annette ought to be horse sometimes and not always driver; and Willie may as well make up his mind to let Marion build her house by his, for she will do it, and he neednt fuss about it. Jamie seems to be a good boy, but I shall preach to him if he isnt. No, Pokey, people dont kiss in church or put their hats on. Now you must all remember what I tell you, because I am the captain, and you should mind me. Here Lieutenant Jack spoke right out in meeting with the rebellious remark Dont care if you are; youd better mind yourself, and tell how you took away my strap, and kept the biggest doughnut, and didnt draw fair when we had the truck. Yes, and you slapped Frank; I saw you! bawled Willie Snow, bobbing up in his pew. And you took my book away and hid it cause I wouldnt go and swing when you wanted me to, added Annette, the oldest of the Snow trio. I shant build my house by Willies if he dont want me to, so now! put in little Marion, joining the mutiny. I will tiss Dimmy! and I tored up my hat tause a pin picked me, shouted Pokey, regardless of Jamies efforts to restrain her. Captain Dove looked rather taken aback at this outbreak in the ranks; but, being a dignified and calm personage, he quelled the rising rebellion with great tact and skill, by saying, briefly Well sing the last hymn; Sweet, sweet good-byyou all know that, so do it nicely, and then we will go and have luncheon. Peace was instantly restored, and a burst of melody drowned the suppressed giggles of Rose and Mac, who found it impossible to keep sober during the latter part of this somewhat remarkable service. Fifteen minutes of repose rendered it a physical impossibility for the company to march out as quietly as they had marched in. I grieve to state that the entire troop raced home as hard as they could pelt, and were soon skirmishing briskly over their lunch, utterly oblivious of what Jamie (who had been much impressed by the sermon) called the captains beautiful teck. It was astonishing how much they all found to do at Cosey Corner; and Mac, instead of lying in a hammock and being read to, as he had expected, was busiest of all. He was invited to survey and lay out Skeeterville, a town which the children were getting up in a huckleberry pasture; and he found much amusement in planning little roads, staking off house-lots, attending to the water-works, and consulting with the selectmen about the best sites for public buildings; for Mac was a boy still, in spite of his fifteen years and his love of books. Then he went fishing with a certain jovial gentleman from the West; and though they seldom caught anything but colds, they had great fun and exercise chasing the phantom trout they were bound to have. Mac also developed a geological mania, and went tapping about at rocks and stones, discoursing wisely of strata, periods, and fossil remains; while Rose picked up leaves and lichens, and gave him lessons in botany in return for his lectures on geology. They led a very merry life; for the Atkinson girls kept up a sort of perpetual picnic; and did it so capitally, that one was never tired of it. So their visitors throve finely, and long before the month was out it was evident that Dr. Alec had prescribed the right medicine for his patients. |
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