Part 43

"Oh Alexia!" cried Polly reprovingly.

"I had to," said Alexia serenely, "or we should have gotten into another fight. And she said she would, and I just took hold of her arm, and dragged her down here. And I'm tired to death," finished Alexia plaintively.

"Alexia," exclaimed Polly, cuddling up the long figure in a way to give perfect satisfaction, "we must make Cathie Harrison have the best time that she ever had, at the picnic to-morrow."

"I suppose so," said Alexia resignedly. "Well, but don't let's think of it now, for I've got you, Polly, and I want to rest."

XIII THE PICNIC

The four barges were to leave the "Salisbury School" at precisely half-past eight o'clock the next morning. Miss Salisbury was always very particular about being prompt, so woe be to any girl who might be late! There was great scurrying, therefore, to and fro in the homes of the day scholars. And the girls hurried off with maids behind carrying their baskets; or, as the case might be, big family carriages filled with groups of girls collected among those of a set; or in little pony carriages. All this made the thoroughfares adjacent to the "Salisbury School" extremely busy places indeed.

Mother Fisher sent Polly's basket over to the school, at an early hour, Polly preferring to walk, several of the girls having called for her. So they all, with Jasper, who was going as far as the corner with them, set out amidst a chatter of merry nonsense.

"Oh girls, I am so glad we are going to the Glen!" exclaimed Polly, for about the fiftieth time.

"So am I," cried all the others in a chorus.

"Why, you haven't ever been to any other place for your picnic, have you, Polly?" cried Jasper, with a laugh.

"No," said Polly, "we never have. But suppose Miss Salisbury had decided to try some other spot this year; oh, just suppose it, Jasper!" and her rosy color died down on her cheek. "It would have been just too dreadful for anything."

"We couldn't have had our picnic in any other place," declared Rose Harding; "it wouldn't be the same unless it was at the Glen."

"Dear old Glen!" cried Polly impulsively. "Jasper, it's too bad you boys can't all come to our picnics."

"I know it. It would be no end jolly if we only could," said Jasper regretfully, to whom it was a great grief that the picnic couldn't take in the two schools.

"Yes," said Polly, with a sigh, "it would, Jasper. But Miss Salisbury never will in all this world let the boys' school join."

"No, I suppose not," said Jasper, stifling his longing; "well, you must tell me about it to-night, the same as always, Polly."

"Yes, I will, Jasper," promised Polly. So he turned the corner, to go to his school. But presently he heard rapid footsteps back of him. "Oh Jasper," cried Polly, flushed and panting, as he whirled about, "tell Phronsie I won't forget the little fern-roots. Be sure, Jasper."

"All right; I will," said Jasper. "Dear me! do hurry back, Polly. You'll be late."

"Oh no, there are oceans of time," said Polly, with a little laugh. "I've the tin case in my picnic basket, Jasper, so they will keep all fresh and nice."

"Yes; do hurry back," begged Jasper. So Polly, with a merry nod, raced off to the corner where the girls were drawn up in a knot, impatiently waiting for her.

Every bit of the fuss and parade in getting the big company started--for all the scholars went to the annual picnic--was a special delight to the girls. The only trouble was that the seats were not all end ones, while the favorite places up by the driver were necessarily few in each vehicle.

"Come on, Polly," screamed Alexia. Everybody had agreed that she should have one of these choice positions because of her lame arm, which Dr. Fisher had said must be carried in its sling this day. So there she was, calling lustily for Polly Pepper, and beating the cushion impatiently with her well hand. "Oh, do hurry up!"

Polly, down on the ground in a swarm of girls, shook her head. "No," her lips said softly, so that no one but Alexia, who was leaning over for that purpose, could possibly hear, "ask Cathie."

"Oh bother!" exclaimed Alexia, with a frown. Then she smothered it up with a "Come, Polly," very persuasively.

"Can't," said Polly; "I'm going back here." And she moved down to the end of the barge.

"Then I'm going back too." Alexia gave a frantic dive to get down from the barge.

Miss Salisbury saw it; and as she had planned to give Alexia just that very pleasure of riding on the front seat, she was naturally somewhat disturbed. "No, no, my dear," seeing Alexia's efforts to get down, "stay where you are."

"Oh dear me!" Alexia craned her long neck around the side of the vehicle, to spy Polly's movements. "I don't want to be mewed up here," she cried discontentedly. But Miss Salisbury, feeling well satisfied with her plan for making Alexia happy, had moved off. And the babel and tumult waged so high, over the placing of the big company, all the girls chattering and laughing at once, that Alexia, call as she might, began to despair of attracting Polly's attention, or Cathie's either for that matter.