“Girls, I’ve got the grandest surprise for you!”
Betty Nelson crossed the velvety green lawn, and crowded into the hammock,slung between two apple trees, which were laden with green fruit. First she hadmotioned for Grace Ford to make room for her, and then sank beside her chumwith a sigh of relief.
“Oh, it was so warm walking over!” she breathed. “And I didcome too fast, I guess.” She fanned herself with a filmy handkerchief.
“But the surprise?” Mollie Billette reminded Betty.
“I’m coming to it, my dear, but just let me get my breath. Ididn’t know I hurried so. Swing, Grace.”
With a daintily shod foot—a foot slender and in keeping with herfigure—Grace gave rather a languid push, and set the hammock to swayingin wider arcs.
Amy Stonington, who had not joined in the talk since the somewhat hurriedarrival of Betty, strolled over to the hammock and began peering about init—that is, in as much of it as the fluffy skirts of the two occupantswould allow to be seen.
“I don’t see it,” she said in gentle tones—everythingAmy did was gentle, and her disposition was always spoken of as“sweet” by her chums, though why such an inapt word is generallyselected to describe what might better be designated a