“Goody!  Goody!” cried John, jumping up and down, while Elsie put her arms round papa’s neck and gave him a hug.

“And Thursday I’ll send for you,” he continued.

“But, papa,” expostulated Elsie, “That’s only two days.  Mrs. Worrett said a week.”

“Yes, she said a week,” chimed in John; “and she’s got ever so many chickens, and I’m to feed ’em, and chase ’em as much as I like.  Only it’s too hot to run much,” she added reflectively.

“You won’t really send for us on Thursday, will you, papa?” urged Elsie, anxiously.  “I’d like to stay ever and ever so long; but Mrs. Worrett said a week.”

“I shall send on Thursday,” repeated Dr. Carr, in a decided tone.  Then, seeing that Elsie’s lip was trembling, and her eyes were full of tears, he continued:  “Don’t look so woeful, Pussy.  Alexander shall drive out for you; but if you want to stay longer, you may send him back with a note to say what day you would like to have him come again.  Will that do?”

“Oh, yes!” said Elsie, wiping her eyes; “that will do beautifully, papa.  Only, it seems such a pity that Alexander should have to go twice when it’s so hot; for we’re perfectly sure to want to stay a week.”

Papa only laughed, as he kissed her.  All being settled the children began to get ready.  It was quite an excitement packing the bags, and deciding what to take and what not to take.  Elsie grew bright and gay with the bustle.  Just to think of being in the country,—­the cool green country,—­made her perfectly happy, she declared.  The truth was, she was a little feverish and not quite well, and didn’t know exactly how she felt or what she wanted.

The drive out was pleasant, except that Alexander upset John’s gravity, and hurt Elsie’s dignity very much, by inquiring, as they left the gate, “Do the little misses know where it is that they want to go?” Part of the way the road ran through woods.  They were rather boggy woods; but the dense shade kept off the sun, and there was a spicy smell of evergreens and sweet fern.  Elsie felt that the good time had fairly begun and her spirits rose with every turn of the wheels.

By and by they left the woods, and came out again into the sunshine.  The road was dusty, and so were the fields, and the ragged sheaves of corn-stalks, which dotted them here and there, looked dusty too.  Piles of dusty red apples lay on the grass, under the orchard trees.  Some cows going down a lane toward their milking shed, mooed in a dispirited and thirsty way, which made the children feel thirsty also.

“I want a drink of water awfully,” said John.  “Do you suppose it’s much farther?  How long will it be before we get to Mrs. Worrett’s, Alexander?”

“’Most there, miss,” replied Alexander, laconically.

Elsie put her head out of the carriage, and looked eagerly round.  Where was the delightful farm?  She saw a big, pumpkin-colored house by the roadside, a little farther on; but surely that couldn’t be it.  Yes:  Alexander drew up at the gate, and jumped down to lift. them out.  It really was!  The surprise quite took away her breath.