'Withthosefish?'laughedPolly。'No!you'llhavetowaituntildayafterto-morrow，andthenyourguesswillberight。Isn'titalmosttoogoodtobetrue?'
　　'Andsheisalmostwell，'addedBell，joyfully，slippingherarmthroughMargery'sandsqueezingitinsheerdelight。'Mrs。Howardsayssheisreallyandtrulybetter。Oh，ifElsieHowardinbedistheloveliest，dearestthingintheworld，whatwillitbeliketohaveheroutofitandwithusinallourgoodtimes!'
　　'Hasshealwaysbeenillsinceyouknewher?'askedLaura。
　　'Yes；aterriblecoldleftherwithweaknessofthelungs，andthedoctorsfearedconsumption，butthoughtthatshemightpossiblyoutgrowitentirelyifshelivedinamilderclimate；soMrs。Howardlefthomeandeverybodyshecaredfor，andbroughtElsietoSantaBarbara。Papahastakenaninterestinherfromthefirst，andasfaraswegirlsareconcerned，itwasloveatfirstsight。YouneverknewanybodylikeElsie!'
　　'Isshepretty?'
　　'Pretty!'criedPolly，'sheislikeanangelinapicture-book!'
　　'Interesting?'
　　'Interesting!'saidBell，inatonethatshowedthewordtobetoofeebleforthesubject；'Elsieismoreinterestingthanalltheothergirlsintheotherworldputtogether!'
　　'Popular?'
　　'Popular!'exclaimedMargery，takingherturnintheoralexamination，'Idon'tknowwhetheranybodycanbepopularwhoisalwaysinbed；butifit'spopulartobeadoredbyeveryman，woman，child，andanimalthatcomesanywherenearher，whythenElsieispopular。'
　　'Andissheafavouritewithboysaswellasgirls?'
　　'Favourite!'saidBell。'Why，theythinkthatsheissimplyperfect!
　　Ofcourseshehasscarcelybeenabletositupaweekatatimeforayear，andnaturallyshehasnotseenmanypeople；but，ifyouwantaboy'sopinion，justaskPhiliporGeoffrey。Iassureyou，Laura，afteryouhaveknownElsieawhile，andhaveseentheimpressionshemakesuponeverybody，youwillwanttogotobedandseeifyoucandolikewise。'
　　'Itisn'tjustthegoingtobed，'remarkedMargery，sagely。
　　'Anditisn'ttheprettinesseither，'addedPolly；'thoughifyousawElsieasleep，aflowerinonehand，theotherunderhercheek，herhairstrayingoverthepillowOforhairthatwouldstrayanywhere!，youwouldexpecteverymomenttoseeahaloaboveherhead。'
　　'Idon'tbelieveitisbecausesheisgoodthateverybodyadmiresherso，'saidLaura，'Idon'tthinkgoodnessinitselfisalwayssoveryinteresting；ifElsiehadfrecklesandasnubnose'——'Don'tmindme!'murmuredPolly——'youwouldfindthatpeoplewouldsaylessaboutherwonderfulcharacter。'
　　'Therearethingsthatpuzzleme，'saidPolly，thoughtfully。'ItseemstomethatifIcouldcontrivetobeeversogood，nobodyeverwouldlookforahaloroundmyhead。Now，isitmyturned-upnoseandredhairthatmakemewhatIam，ordidwhatIammakemynoseandhairwhattheyare——which?'
　　'We'llhavetoaskAuntTruth，'saidMargery；'thatistoodifficultathingforustoanswer。'
　　'Wasn'titniceIcatchedthatbigbull-frog，Margie?'criedDick，hiseyesshiningwithanticipation。'NowI'llhaveasmanyassevenor'levenfrogsandlotsofhornedtoadswhenElsiecomes，andshecanhelpmeplaywith'em。'
　　Whenthegirlsreachedthetentsagain，thelastarticlehadbeentakenfromtheteamandManuelhaddrivenaway。ThesoundofPhil'shammercouldbeheardfromthecarpenter-shop，andPanchowasalreadylayingthetentfloorinasmall，open，sunnyplace，wherethelowboughsofasinglesycamorehungsoastoprotectoneofitscorners，leavingtheresttothefullwarmthofthesunshinethatwastomakeElsieentirelywellagain。
　　'Iamtiredtodeath，'sighedLaura，throwingherselfdowninabamboolounging-chair。'Suchatrampaswehad!andafterall，theboysinsistedongoingwhereDr。Winshipwouldn'tallowustofollow，sothatwehadtostaybehindandfishwiththechildren；IwishI
　　hadstayedathomeandreadTheColonel'sDaughter。'
　　'Oh，Laura!'remonstratedMargery，'thinkofthatlovelypoolwiththeforestsofmaiden-hairgrowingallaboutit!'
　　'Andpoison-oak，'grumbledLaura。'IknowIwalkedintosomeofitandshalllooklikeaperfectfrightforaweek。Ishallnevermakeacountrygirl——it'snouseformetotry。'
　　'It'snouseforyoutotrywalkingfourmilesinhigh-heeledshoes，mydear，'saidPolly，bluntly。
　　'Theyarenothigh，'retortedLaura，'andiftheyare，Idon'tcaretolooklikea——a——cow-boy，eveninthebackwoods。'
　　'I'manawfulexample，'sighedPolly，seatingherselfonastumpinfrontofthetent，andelevatingaverydustylittlecommon-senseboot。'SirWalterRaleighwouldneverhaveallowedmetowalkonhisvelvetcloakwiththatboot，wouldhe，girls?Oh，wasn'tthatromantic，though?anddon'tIwishthatIhadbeenQueenElizabeth!'
　　'You'vegottheHAIR，'saidLaura。
　　'Thankyou!IhadforgottenElizabeth'shairwasred；soitwas。
　　Thisismycourttrain，'snatchingatablecloththatbungonahushnearby，andpinningittoherwaistinthetwinklingofaneye，——
　　'thismyfarthingale，'danglinghersun-bonnetfromherbelt，——'thismysceptre，'seizingaJapaneseumbrella，——'thismycrown，'invertingabrighttinplateuponhercurlyhead。'Sheisjustalightingfromherchariot，THUS；thecourtiersturnpale，THUS；whydon'tyoudoit?whatshallbedone?TheRoyalFeetmustnotbewet。"Goroundthepuddle?Prit，meLud，'Od'sbody!Forsooth!Certainlynot!
　　Removethepuddle!"shesayshaughtilytohersubjects。Theyarejustabouttodoso，whenoutfrombehindaneighbouringchaparralbushstalksabeautifulyoungprincewithcoal-blackhairandrose-
　　redcheeks。Hewearsarichvelvetcloak，glitteringwithembroidery。Heseesnothercrown，herhairoutshinesit；heseesnothersceptre，hertinyhandconcealsit；heseesnaughtsavetheloathlymud。Hestripsoffhiscloakandfloatsitonthepuddle。
　　WithahaughtybutgraciousbendofherheadtheQueenacceptsthecourtesy；crossesthepuddle，THUS，waveshersceptre，THUS，andsaying，"Youshallhearfrommebyreturnmail，meLud，"shevanisheswithinthecastle。ThenextmorningshemakesSirWalterBritishMinistertoFlorida。Hedepartsatoncewithacargooftobacco，whichheexchangesforsweetpotatoes，andeverybodyishappyeverafter。'
　　Thegirlswereconvulsedwithmirthatthishistoricalromance，and，asMrs。Winshipwipedthetearsofmerrimentfromhereyes，Pollyseizedthegoldenopportunityanddroppedonherkneesbesideher。
　　'Please，AuntTruth，wecan'tgetthewhitemosquito-nettingbecauseDr。Winshiphasthekeyofthestorehouseinhispocket，andso——may——
　　I——blowthehorn?'
　　Mrs。Winshipgaveherconsentindespair，andPollywenttotheoak-
　　treewherethehornhungandblewallthestrengthofherlungsintoblastafterblastforfiveminutes。
　　'That'sallIneeded，'shesaid，onreturning；'thatwasanescape-
　　valve，andIshallbelady-likeandwell-behavedtherestoftheday。'
　　CHAPTERVI:QUEENELSIEVISITSTHECOURT
　　'Anhourandfriendwithfriendwillmeet，Lipclingtolipandhandclasphand。'
　　'Now，Laura，'askedBell，whenquietwasrestored，'adviseusaboutElsie'stent。Wewantittobeperfectlylovely；andyouhavesuchgoodtaste!'
　　'Letmethink，'saidLaura。'Oh，ifshewereonlyabrunetteinsteadofablonde，wecouldfestoonthetentwiththatyellowtarlatanI
　　broughtfortheplay!'
　　'Whatdifferencedoesitmakewhethersheisdarkorlight?'askedBell，obtusely。
　　'Why，aroomoughttobeasbecomingasadress——soMrs。Pinkertonsays。YouknowIsawagreatdealofheratthehotel；andoh，girls!herbedroomwasthemostexquisitethingyoueversaw!ShehadaFrenchtoilet-table，coveredwithpalebluesilkandwhitemarquiselace，——perfectlylovely，——withyardsandyardsofrobin's-
　　eggbluewateredribboninbows；andonitshekeptallhertoiletarticles，everythinginhammeredsilverfromTiffany'swithmonogramsontheback，——threeorfoursizesofbrushes，andcombs，andmirrors，andafullmanicureset。Itusedtotakehertwohourstodress；butitwasworthit。Oh，suchgorgeoustea-gownsasshehad!Oneofoldroseandlettucewasaperfectdream!Shealwayshadherbreakfastinbed，youknow。Ithinkit'sdelightfultohaveyourbreakfastbeforeyougetup，anddressasslowlyasyoulike。Iwishmammawouldletmedoit。'
　　'Whatdoesshedoaftershegetsdressedinherrowsofoldlettuce——
　　Imeanheroldrowsoflettuce?'askedPolly。
　　'Do?Whyreally，Polly，youaretoostupid!Whatdoyousupposeshedid?Whateverybodyelsedoes，ofcourse。'
　　'Oh!'saidPolly，apologetically。
　　'HowoldisMrs。Pinkerton?'askedMargery。
　　'Betweennineteenandtwenty。Thereisnotthreeyears'differenceinourages，thoughshehasbeenmarriednearlytwoyears。Itseemssofunny。'
　　'Onlynineteen!'criedBell。'Why，Ialwaysthoughtthatshewasoldasthehills——twenty-fiveorthirtyattheveryleast。Shealwaysseemedtiredofthings。'
　　'Well，'saidLaura，inawhisperintendedtobetoolowtoreachMrs。
　　Winship'stent，'Idon'tknowwhetherIoughttorepeatwhatwastoldmeinconfidence，butthefactis——well——shedoesn'tlikeMr。
　　Pinkertonverywell!'
　　Theothergirls，whohadnotenjoyedtheadvantagesofcitylifeandtravel，lookedasdazedasanyscandalmongercouldhavedesired。
　　'Don'tlikehim!'gaspedPolly，nearlyfallingoffthestump。'Why，she'smarriedtohim!'
　　'Whereonearthwereyoubroughtup?'snappedLaura。'Whatdifferencedoesthatmake?Shecan'thelpitifshedoesn'thappentolikeherhusband，canshe?Youcan'tmakeyourselflikeanybody，canyou?'
　　'Well，didsheeverlikehim?'askedMargery；'forshe'sonlybeenmarriedayearortwo，anditseemstomeitmighthavelastedthatlongiftherewasanythingtobeginon。'
　　'But，'whisperedLaura，mysteriously，'youseeMr。PinkertonwasveryrichandtheDentonsverypoor。Mr。Dentonhadjustdied，leavingthemnothingatalltoliveon，andpoorJessiewouldhavehadtoteachschool，orsomedreadfulthinglikethat。Thethoughtofitalmostkilledher，sheissosensitiveandsorefined。Shenevertoldmesoinsomanywords，butIamsureshemarriedMr。Pinkertontosavehermotherfrompoverty；andIpityherfromthebottomofmyheart。'
　　'Isupposeitwasnoble，'saidBell，inapuzzledtone，'ifshecouldn'tthinkofanyotherway，but——'
　　'Well，didshetryveryhardtothinkofotherways?'askedPolly。
　　'Sheneverlookedespeciallynobletome。Ithoughtsheseemedlikeadie-away，frizzlygigkindofagirl。'
　　'Iwish，MissOliver，thatyouwouldbekindenoughtorememberthatMrs。Pinkertonisoneofmymostintimatefriends，'saidLaura，sharply。'AndIdowish，also，thatyouwouldn'ttalkloudenoughtobeheardallthroughthecanyon。'
　　ThecolourcameintoPolly'scheeks，butbeforeshecouldanswer，Mrs。Winshipwalkedin，stocking-basketinhand，andseatedherselfinthelittlewickerrocking-chair。Polly'sclariontoneshadgivenheracluetothesubject，andshethoughtthediscussionneededguidance。
　　'YouweretalkingaboutMrs。Pinkerton，girls，'shesaid，serenely。
　　'Yousayyouarefondofher，Laura，dear，anditseemsveryungraciousformetocriticiseyourfriend；thatisathingwhichmostofusfailtobearpatiently。ButIcannotletyouholdherupasanidealtobeworshipped，oraskthegirlstoadmireasapieceofself-denialwhatIfearwasnothingbutindolenceandself-
　　gratification。Youaretooyoungtotalkofthesethingsverymuch；
　　butyouarenottooyoungtomakeupyourmindthatwhenyouagreetoliveallyourlifelongwithaperson，youmusthavesomeotherfeelingthanadeterminationnottoteachschool。JessieDenton'smother，mydearLaura，wouldneverhaveaskedthesacrificeofherdaughter'swholelife；andJessieherselfwouldneverhavemadeithadshebeenlessvain，proud，andluxuriousinhertastes，andalittlebraver，moreself-forgettingandindustrious。Thesearehardwords，dear，andIamsorrytousethem。Shehasgainedtherichesshewanted，——thecarriagesandservants，andtea-gowns，andhammeredsilverfromTiffany's，butshelookstiredanddisappointed，asBellsays；andI'venodoubtsheis，poorgirl。'
　　'Idon'tthinkyoudoherjustice，Mrs。Winship；Idon't，indeed，'
　　saidLaura。
　　'Ifyouarereallyattachedtoher，Laura，don'tmakethemistakeofadmiringherfaultsofcharacter，buttrytofindherbetterqualities，andhelphertodevelopthem。Itisafatalthingwhengirlsofyouragesetupthesefalsestandards，andordertheirlivesbythem。Thereareworsethingsthanschool-teaching，yes，orevenfloor-scrubbingorwindow-washing。Lovelytea-gownsandsilver-
　　backedbrushesareallveryprettyandnicetohave，iftheyarenotgainedatthesacrificeofsomethingbetter。Ishouldhavesaidtomydaughter，hadIbeenMrs。Denton，"Wewillworkforeachother，mydarling，andtrytodowhateverGodgivesustodo；but，nomatterhowhardlifeis，yourheartisthemostpreciousthingintheworld，andyoumustneversellthat，ifwepartwitheverythingelse。"Oh，mygirls，mygirls，ifIcouldonlymakeyoubelievethat"poorandcontentisrich，andrichenough。"Icannotbeartothinkofyourgrowingyearbyyearintotheconvictionthattheseprettyglitteringthingsofwealtharethetruegoldoflifewhicheverybodyseeks。
　　Forgiveme，Laura，ifIhavehurtyourfeelings。'
　　'Iknowyouwouldneverhurtanybody'sfeelings，ifyoucouldhelpit，Mrs。Winship，'Lauraanswered，withahintofcoldnessinhervoice，'thoughIcan'thelpthinkingthatyouarealittlehardonpoorJessie；but，eventhen，onecansurelylikeapersonwithoutwishingtodotheverysamethingsshedoes。'
　　'Yes，thatistrue，'saidMrs。Winship，gravely。'Butonecannotconstantlyjustifyawrongactioninanotherwithouthavingone'sownstandardunconsciouslylowered。Whatwecontinuallyexcuseinotherpeopleweshouldbeinclinedbyandbytoexcuseinourselves。Letuschooseourfriendsaswiselyaspossible，andlovethemdearly，helpingthemtogrowworthierofourloveatthesametimewearetryingtogrowworthieroftheirs；because"welivebyadmiration，hope，andlove，"youknow，butnotbyadmiringandlovingthewrongthings。
　　'Butthereisthehorn，andIheartheboys。Letuscometoluncheon，andtellourgoodnewsofElsie。'
　　[Musicfollows]
　　Withincredibleenergy。
　　Thehorn!Thehorn!Thelus-ty，lus-tyhorn!'Tisnotathingtolaughtoscorn，Athingtolaughtoscorn!
　　Longbeforetheboysappearedinsight，theirvoicesrangthroughthecanyoninachorusthatwoketheechoes，andpresentlytheycameintoview，bearingtwoquartersandasaddleoffreshlykilledmutton，hangingfromaleafybranchswungbetweenJack'ssturdyshoulderandGeoff's。
　　'Asplendid"stillhunt"thismorning，AuntTruth!'exclaimedJack。
　　'Gameplentyandnottooshy，dogsinprimecondition，huntersditto。
　　Beholdtheresult!'
　　ThegirlscouldscarcelytellwhetherornoLaurawasoffendedatAuntTruth'sunexpectedlittlelecture。Shedidnotappearquiteasunrestrainedasusual，butaseverybodywasengagedinthepreparationsforElsie'swelcometherewasageneralatmosphereofhilarityandconfusion，sothatnoawkwardnesswaspossible。
　　Thetool-shopresoundedwithblowsofhammerandsteel。Dickywasundereverybody'sfeet，andhis'sevenortenfrogs，'togetherwithhisunrivalledcollectionofhornedtoads，werecontinuallyescapingfromtheirtinpailsandboxesinthevarioustents，andeverybodywasobligedtojoininthesearchtorecoverandre-incarceratethem，inordertokeepthepeace。
　　HopYetwasmakingagoldandsilvercake，with'Elsie'inpinklettersonchocolatefrosting。Philiphadpitchedthenewtentsothatinonecornertherewasaslendermanzanita-treewhichhadbeencroppedforsomepurposeorother。Hehadnailedacross-pieceonthis，sothatitresembledtheletterT，andwasnowlaboriouslyboringholesandfittinginpegs，thatElsiemighthaveasortofclosetbehindherbed。
　　Asfortherusticfurniture，thegirlsandboysdeclaredittobetoobeautifulforwords。Theystoodincirclesaboutitandadmireditwithoutreserve，eachclaimingthathisownspecialpieceofworkwasthegemofthecollection。Thesunlightshiningthroughthegreyandgreentintsofthetentwasvotedperfection，Philip'sclosetamiracleofingenuity，thegreenandwhitestrawmattinganinspiration。
　　Thelooking-glasshadbeenmountedonapacking-box，andconvertedbyLauraintoadressing-tablethatrivalledMrs。Pinkerton's；forgreentarlatanandwhitemosquito-nettinghadbeensoskilfullycombinedthatthetraditionalmermaidmighthavebeengladtomakehertoiletthere'withacombandaglassinherhand。'Therestofthegreenandwhitegauzystuffhadbeenloopedfromthecornersofthetenttothecentreoftheroof-piece，anddelicatetendrilsofwildclematisclimbedhereandthereasifitweregrowing，itsrootsplungedincunninglyhiddenbottlesofwater。Bellhadgoneaboutwithpiecesofawningclothandgreenbraid，andstitchedanelaboratesystemofpocketsontheinsideofthetentwherevertheywouldnotbetooprominent。Thereweretinypocketsforneedle-work，thimbles，andscissors，medium-sizedpocketsforsoapandcombsandbrushes，biggerpocketsforshoesandslippersandstockings，andmammothpocketsforanythingelsethatElsiemightordaintoputinapocket。
　　Byfouro'clockintheafternoonMargeryhadusedhercleverfingerstosuchpurposethatawhitesilesiaflag，workedwiththecampname，floatedfromthetiptopofthefrontentrancetothetent。Theceremonyofraisingtheflagwasattendedwithmuchenthusiasm，anditsaccomplishmentgreetedbyadeafeningcheerfromtheentireparty。
　　'UnlessonewantsParadise，'sighedMargery，'whowouldn'tbecontentedwithdearCampChaparral?'
　　'Whowouldliveinahouse，anyway?'exclaimedPhilip。'Sniffthisair，andlookupatthatsky!'
　　'Andthisiswhattheycall"roughingit，"inSantaBarbara，'quothDr。Winship。'Why，youyoungstershavemadethattentfitfortheoccupancyofasocietybelle。'
　　'Now，let'sorganiseforreception!'criedGeoffrey。'Assemble，goodpeople!Comeoverhere，AuntTruth!Iwilltakethechairmyself，sinceIdon'thappentoseeanybodywhowouldfillitwithmoredignity。'
　　'Iamgoingtomountmybronchoandgooutontheroadtomeetmybelovedfamily，'saidJack，saunteringuptotheimpromptucouncil-
　　chamber。
　　'Howcanyoutellwhentheywillarrive?'askedMrs。Winship。
　　'Icanmakeaprettygoodguess。They'llprobablystartfromTacitasasearlyaseightornineo'clock，ifElsieiswell。Let'ssee:
　　it'sabouttwenty-fivemiles，isn'tit，UncleDoc?Saytwenty-threetotheplacewheretheyturnoffthemainroad。Well，I'lltakeabitoflunch，rideouttenortwelvemiles，hitchmyhorseintheshade，andwait。'
　　'Verywell，'saidGeoffrey。'Itisnotusualforcommitteestoappointthemselves，butasyouareanearrelativeofourdistinguishedguestswewillgrantyouspecialconsiderationandorderyoutothefront。Ladiesandgentlemen，passingovertheslightinformalityofthenomination，allinfavourofappointingMr。
　　JohnHowardEnvoyExtraordinarypleasemanifestitbytheusualsign。'
　　Sixpersonsyelled'Ay，'fourraisedtherighthand，andonestoodup。
　　'Thereseemstobeaslightdifferenceofopinionastotheusualsign。Allright——Contraryminded!'
　　'No!'shoutedPolly，atthetopofherlungs。
　　'Itisaunanimousvote，'saidGeoffrey，crushingly，bringingdownhisfistasanimaginarygavelwithincredibleforceanddignity。
　　'Dr。andMrs。Winship，willyouobligetheChairbyactingasaspecialReceptionCommittee?'
　　'Certainly，'respondedthedoctor，smilingly。'WilltheChairkindlyoutlinethegeneralpolicyofthecommittee?'
　　'Hm-m-m!Yes，certainly——ofcourse。TheChairsuggeststhattheReceptionCommittee——well，thattheystayathomeand——receivetheguests，——yes，thatwilldoverynicely。All-in-favour-and-so-forth-
　　it-is-a-vote-and-so-ordered。Secretarywillpleasespreadacopyontheminutes。'Gavel。
　　'Irisetoapointoforder，'saidJack，sagely。'Thereisnosecretaryandtherearenominutes。'
　　'Mereform，'saidtheChair；'sitdown；therewillbeminutesinaminute，——gottodosomemorethingsfirst；thatwilldo，SITDOWN。
　　WilltheMissesBurtonandMessrs。BurtonandNoblekindlyactasCommitteeonDecoration?'
　　'Where'stheCommitteeonMusic，andRefreshments，andOlympianGames，andallthatsortofthing?'interruptedPolly，whohadnottheslightestconceptionofparliamentaryetiquette；'andwhydon'tyouhurryupandputmeonsomething?'
　　'IfMissOliverrefusestobridlehertongue，andpersistsininterruptingthebusinessofthemeeting，theChairwillbeobligedtoremoveher，'saidGeoffrey，withchillingemphasis。
　　Pollyroseagain，undaunted。'IwouldrespectfullyasktheChair，whoputhiminthechair，anyway?'
　　'Question!'roaredPhilip。
　　'Secondthemotion!'shriekedBell，thatbeingtheonlyparliamentaryexpressionsheknew。
　　'Order!'criedGeoffreyinstentorianaccents。'Iwilladjournthemeetingandclearthecourt-roomunlessthereisorder。'
　　'Do!'remarkedPolly，encouragingly。'Iwillriseagain，likePhoebus，frommyashes，tosaythat——'
　　HereJacksprangtohisfeet。'IwouldsuggesttotheChairthatthelastspeakeramendhermotionbysubstitutingtheword"Phoenix"for"Phoebus。"'
　　'Accepttheamendment，'saidPolly，serenely，amidstthegeneralhilarity。
　　'Question!'calledBell，withanothermightyprojectionofmemoryintoamissionarymeetingthatshehadonceattended。
　　'Iamnotawarethatthereisanymotionbeforethehouse，'saidGeoffrey，cuttingly。
　　'Secondthemotion!'
　　'Secondtheamendment!'shoutedthegirls。
　　'Ladies，thereISnomotion。WillyouobligetheChairbyremainingquietuntilspeechisrequested?'
　　'Movethatthemeetingbeadjournedandanotheronecalled，withanewChair!'remarkedMargery，whofeltthatthehonourofhersexwasatstake。
　　'Movethatthismotionbesoorderedandspreadupontheminutes，andacopyofitbepresentedtotheChairman，'suggestedPhilip。
　　'MovethatthecopybeappropriatelyboundinCALF，'saidJack，dodginganimaginaryblow。
　　'Movethattheothercommitteesbeelectedbyballot，'concludedScottBurton。
　　'Thisissimplydisgraceful!'exclaimedtheChair。'Order!order!I
　　appointMissOliverCommitteeonEntertainment，withaviewofkeepingherstill。'
　　Thiswasreceivedwithparticularaswellasgeneralsatisfaction。
　　'MissWinship，weappointyouCommitteeonMusic。'
　　'Allright。Doyouwishittobeoriginal?'
　　'Certainlynot；wewishittobegood。'
　　'Butweonlyknowonechorus，andthat's"MyWitchingDinahSnow。"'
　　'Nevermind；eitherwritenewwordstothattuneorsingtra-la-latoit。Mr。RichardWinship，theChairappointsyouCommitteeonMenagerie，andsuggeststhataswehaveproclaimedalegalholiday，yougiveyouranimalsthefreedomofthecity。'
　　'Don'tknowwhatfreedomofercitymeans，'saidDicky，whofearedthathewasbeingmadethebuttofridicule。
　　'Why，wewantyoutoallowthecaptivestoparadeintheevening，withtorch-lightsandmottoes。'
　　'Allright!'criedDicky，kindlinginaninstant；''n'Luby，'n'thedoat，'n'myhorn'toads，alle'cepttheonethatjustgottedawayinLaura'sbed；butmaybeshe'llfindhimto-night，sothey'llbeallthere。'
　　Thiswastoomuchforthevariouscommittees，andLaura'swildshriekwasthesignalforahastyadjournment。Acommondangerrestoredpeacetotheassembly，andtheysoughttherunawayinperfectharmony。
　　'Well，'saidJack，whenquietwasrestored，'IamgoingalittledistanceupthePicoNegrotrail；therearesomemagnificentSpanishbayonetsgrowingthere，andifyou'llletmehavePancho，UncleDoc，wecanbringdownfourofthemandlashthemtoeachofthecornersofElsie'stent，——they'llkeepfreshseveraldaysinwater，youknow。'
　　'Takehim，certainly，'saidDr。Winship。
　　'Doletmegowithyou!'pleadedLaura，withenthusiasm。'Ishouldlikethewalksomuch。'
　　'It'sprettyrough，Laura，'objectedMargery。'Ifyoucouldn'tendureourwalkthismorning，youwouldnevergethomealivefromPicoNegro。'
　　'Oh，thatwasintheheatoftheday，'sheanswered。'Ifeelequaltoanyamountofwalkingnow，ifJackdoesn'tmindtakingme。'
　　'Delighted，ofcourse，MissLaura。You'llbewillingtocarryhomeoneofthetrees，Isuppose，inreturnforthepleasureofmysociety?'
　　'Snubhimseverely，Laura，'criedBell；'weneverallowhimtosaysuchthingsunreproved。'
　　'Ithinkheissnubbedtoomuchalready，'repliedLaura，withacharmingsmile，'andIshallseehowacourseofencouragementwillaffecthisbehaviour。'
　　'ThatwillbewhatIlonghavesought，AndmournedbecauseIfounditnot，'
　　sangJack，nonchalantly。
　　'Oh，Laura，'remonstratedBell，'thinktwicebeforeyouencouragehiminhisdreadfulways。Wehavestudiedhimverycarefully，andweknowthattheonlywaytolivewithhimistokeephiminasortof"pintpot"wherewecanholdthelidopenjustalittle，andclapitdownsuddenlywheneverhetriestospringout。'
　　'Donotmindthatyoungperson，MissLaura，butformyourownimpressionsofmycharmingcharacter。Excuseme，please，whileIputonacelluloidcollar，andmakesomefewchangesinmytoiletnecessarytoaproperappearanceinyourdistinguishedcompany。'
　　'Ipreferyouasyouare，'answeredLaura，laughingly。'Letusstartatonce。'
　　'Doyouhearthat，youngperson?SheprefersmeasIare!Nowseewhatmagicpowerhergenerosityhasuponme!'Andhedartedintothetent，fromwhichheissuedinamomentwithhisDerbyhat，amanzanitacane，apocket-handkerchieftiedabouthisthroat，andaflowerpinnedonhisflannelcamping-shirt——amostridiculousfigure，sincenothingseemssooutofplaceinthewoodsasanysuggestionofcitycostumesorcustoms。Laurawasinhighgood-humour，andlookedexceedinglybrilliantandpretty，asshealwaysdidwhenshewasthecentralfigureofanygrouporthebrightparticularstarofanyoccasion。
　　'Behomebeforedark，'saidDr。Winship。'Pancho，keepalook-outforthepack-mule。Truth，oneofthepack-muleshasdisappeared。'
　　'So?DumplingorDitto?'
　　'Ditto，curiouslyenough。Hisnameshouldhaveledhimnottosetanexample，buttofollowone。'
　　Elsiecame。
　　Perhapsyouthoughtthatthiswasgoingtobeanexcitingstory，andthatsomethingwouldhappentokeepherattheTacitasranch；butnothingdid。Everythingcametopassexactlyasitwasarranged，andJackmethismotherandsisterattwelveo'clocksomefourmilesfromthecamp，andescortedthemtothegates。
　　'Welcome'hadbeenpaintedontwentydifferentboardsorbitsofwhiteclothandpaper，andnailedhereandthereonthetreesthatlinedtheroughwood-road；thestrainsofanorchestra，formedofaguitar，banjo，castanets，Chinesefiddle，andtincans，greetedthemfromadistance，butwereproperlyallowedtodieawayinsilencewhentheguestnearedthetents。Everythingworeanewandsmilingface，andElsienevercamemoredangerouslynearbeingsqueezedtodeath。
　　Elsie，intheprettiestofginghamdresses，andhercloudofgoldenhairbraidedintwofunnylittlepugstokeepitoutofthedust；
　　Elsie，withawidehatthatshadedherface，alreadyalittletannedandburned，nolongercolourless；Elsie，withnolinesofpaininherprettyforehead，andthehollowringgonefromhervoice；Elsie，whojumpedoverthewheelofthewagon，andhuggedherhuggerswiththestrengthofayoungbear!Itwastoogoodtobelieve，andnobodydidquitebelieveitfordays。
　　Atthreeo'clockthehappiestpartyintheworldassembledattheroughdining-tableunderthesycamore-trees。
　　Elsiebeameduponthefeastfromthehigh-backedmanzanitachair，afaintcolourinhercheeks，andstarryprismsoflightinapairofeyesthathadnotsparkledformanyawearymonth。HopYetsmiledatriflehimself，worehiscapwitharedbuttononthetoptowaituponthetable，andministeredtothehungrypeoplewithmoreinterestandalacritythanhehadshownsincehehadbeendraggedfromSantaBarbara，hisJoss，andhisnightlygameoffantan。Andsuchadinnerashehadpreparedinhonouroftheoccasion!——longerbyfourcoursesthanusual，andeachpersonwasallowedtwoplatesinthecourseofthemeal。