Come on, Florence, let's go and see about it."
And throwing down their spoons, they went to hunt up Mrs. Dallas.
They found her in the dining-room, making salad dressing, and upon the
table was a newly-boiled ham, and a quantity of chopped chicken.
"There, now, mamma is doing something about eating, too," exclaimed
Dimple. "I'd just like to know what it is all for. Won't you tell us,
mamma? Are you going to have a tea or anything like that?"
"Not exactly like that; but we are going on a picnic."
"Oh! oh! a picnic! Tell us, mamma. Who is going? Are we children to go?"
"Yes. You children, Mrs. Hardy and Rock, the Spears, the Neals, and the
Jacksons. Mr. Atkinson, too, I think."
"Which Jacksons?"
"Mr. David Jackson's family. Mr. Atkinson is not sure of being here, but
he hopes to be able to get off."
"Oh, good! Tell us some more, mamma."
"We are going to start early to-morrow afternoon, if it is pleasant. We
will take supper with us. We are going up the river to the island, and
have our meal there."
"Fine! fine! Oh, Florence, you have never been to the island, and it is
just lovely there. I think you are very good to let us go, mamma, after
our running away in a boat."
"Who ever heard of any one's running away in a boat?" laughed Mrs.
Dallas. "Now be good children, and keep out of the way, for Sylvy and I
have a lot to do.
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