PLANS FOR THE PARTY
Luncheon over, the ponies were brought out from the stables, and as Don expressed it, they seemed ready-made for their visit.
The boys were overjoyed as they mounted and galloped away down the long avenue for a ride; the girls at first being satisfied with a trot around the grounds on "Brownie's" broad back.
After the delightful day had gone at last, tired but happy they gathered around Aunt Janice as she sat knitting.
"You must have a fortune growing around the old place on all of those fine forest trees!" Harry commented.
Aunt Janice looked toward the speaker quickly.
"Well, I believe it is one of the finest in this part of the country; you may all take a basket of lunch and go out exploring there, if you like, soon—all varieties of lovely ferns grow about in damp places and you can bring some back to help make the old place look green and pretty inside, as well as on the outside, for we must get ready for a party."
"A party—a party—" chorused several voices at once.
"I see the plan meets with approval; all right then; I'll have a good lunch put up and you may spend the day, and wander around to your heart's content!"
"How delightful!—and shall we play games, too?"
Alice had come up close to Aunt Janice and placed one small hand in hers.
"Isn't everything going to be just ever so happy?"
"Happier by far than it has been for years, because of you young people to make it so, and last but not least, we shall have as many games in the program as you care to play."
The next hour or so passed rapidly in discussing the plans for the party to be, and all of the Merediths including Aunt Janice, were sorry when the hands of the old grandfather's clock began to warn them of the breaking up hour.
After they had separated for the night, Nora and Janey kept on talking of the delightful hours that they had spent.
"I never dreamed that Land's End would be as beautiful as a dream story," Nora remarked, "and I said such cross things about coming at first. I don't feel that I deserve this wonderful visit."
"You didn't really mean them, Nora; nor did I. I'm sure Aunt Janice and
Dad would understand."
"I hope so, because I'm really sorry and ashamed."
"I am afraid we all say things only too often that are so unworthy; wouldn't we have much more happiness, Nora, if we would heed the warning of the Bible to guard our tongue and not to judge our fellowmen?"
"Y—es,—I suppose so. I think this place should be called the Castle of
Delight, instead of Land's End; it would certainly be more appropriate."
"I think so too," Janey agreed. "I wonder if we'll come across any people living in the forest?"
"I wonder" Janey echoed. "Perhaps the old man who brought us from the station in Aunt Janice's car. He may live in there, and we might stop and invite him to the party."
Nora laughed.
"He isn't really old, Janey. I thought him pretty vigorous. Who knows though, whom we may find deep in the forest? We shall have to ask Aunt Janice though for permission to invite guests."
"The more the merrier, sir, she said—
While gazing on the tulip bed,—
Come be our flower-guests, so sweet—
And make our party quite complete!"
"I didn't know you were a poetess, Nora! I'm sure Aunt Janice will let us have all the flower guests we want—from woods or garden."
"The sooner we stop talking, the sooner morning will come again, and so good-night and sweet dreams, Janey."
But Janey slipped out of bed and over to the window for one more look at the terrace, white and silvery in the bright moonlight.
"Have you forgotten the mystery of the tower room, Nora?"
Nora brushed back her brown curls, impatiently.
"Come back to bed and to sleep, Janey—you probably saw, as I said, a white pigeon imprisoned in the room; dismiss the thought, and forget all about it."
Janey was peering through the open window on the moonlit terrace below.
"I'm sure a white figure went gliding by and disappeared among the trees.
Come quick, Nora, and watch!"
Janey's voice was shaking with excitement, and it was only after several minutes of remonstrance from Nora that she was persuaded she was acting foolishly to be hunting up mysteries in perhaps just a passing traveler, and so gave up and returned to bed.
"Maybe you'll find out I'm right about the waving handkerchief from the tower room, and also about that passing figure. I think they're connected, so there, Nora—you just wait and see when the mystery is all cleared up!"
With that thought foremost in her mind, Janey at last, fell asleep.