John came racing back, crying aloud so all
could hear: Liza says youre all to sit down on the grass and hold your plates whiles she passes the soup-kettle and serves you!
Where are the dishes? asked the girls of Mrs. Vernon, as John spoke.
They must have brought them. I see May and your father over there, carrying a wash-basket, whispered Mrs. Vernon.
So it was. And as each visitor was handed a soup-plate, the advice was given out at the same time: Youve got to use the same plate and spoon for every other course, so dont look for clean dishes hereafter.
The boys helped Eliza serve the soup, and when all were engaged in eating, one of the visitors remarked: We saw quantities of wild strawberries down by the mountain-road as we walked by.
Whereabouts? Well pick them to-morrow for dinner, said Joan, eagerly.
The locality was carefully described, and the girls noted it for future investigation. There was so much laughing and talking after this that many of the young people forgot what they had for dinner. However, Eliza had provided enough for all, and the scouts were relieved of any responsibility thereby.
Were not going to spend the afternoon, May said to the scouts after dinner, we just thought to surprise you and have dinner, then start for home again.
Mrs. Allison added, as May finished speaking, Yes, and we mothers felt sure you would be homesick after one week of camping. But I think we were the only ones feeling lonely. You seem to have had plenty to do to keep you from wanting to come back.
Dont worry about our feeling forlorn or homesick, mother. If we can break away from here when September comes, well be satisfied, replied Joan.
Then Mr. Lee stood up on a stump and shouted: Folks, its about time to start back to the conventional ways of living. But before we go we ought to thank our hostesses for this good time. I only wish I was a girl scout with a summer in camp before me!
Every one clapped and, at a signal, gave three cheers for the Captain and her scouts. Then dishes were collected in the big basket, kettles stacked up in the hamper, and the visitors started down the road.
Eliza drew Mrs. Vernon aside and whispered: Youll find a lot of stuff I brought for cookin this week. We got a peck of onions from a farmer, so I measured out half for youse. I found I could spare a large measure of pertaters, too, and youll find them with th onions.
I made a cake fer Sundays supper fer you-all, and the jar of cookies I promised every week. Seein as how there aint no way fer a butcher to reach you, I packed up the roast lamb left from yesterday, and a slice of steak ready to be fried.
Oh, Eliza! what a wonderful fairy you are! Now we will have enough meat and bones to last a week. I wont waste a morsel! Mrs. Vernon promised.
The scouts had accompanied their visitors down the road, so Mrs. Vernon now walked with Eliza, a short distance behind the crowd. As they went, the maid laughingly explained:
That was why I insisted on servin the dinner. Mis Bentley and Mis Allison wanted to help, but I knew they wouldnt be careful of left-overs like I would. And glad I am I did!
Why do you know, Mis Vernon, theres enough salad dressin left in a bowl in the store-room hut to last a week. An soup, too, fer supper to-night fer all of you. Sandwitches my! you kin eat sandwitches for three days runnin. Every speck of good cake what wasnt teched, I put carefully in the tin cracker-box, and many a snack the girls kin have between meals by that cake.
Eliza, I will tell the girls all you just told me, and I know they will be delighted. I will thank you now, for them, as they will be busy saying good-by to every one after we join them.
Thats all right, Mis Vernon. Dont bother about thanks, cause it is my bisness to look after them girls meals, anyway.
But Mrs. Vernon thought how few maids of the present day thought as Eliza did. Would it not be to their own interests to consider their business a little more and thus win the gratitude and appreciation of the family?
The visitors had come out in large jitneys hired for the afternoon, and when every one was crowded in and the two heavy autos were about to start, Mrs. Vernon exclaimed:
The next time you visit us, it will be at our invitation and expense. We will cook the dinner for the next picnic!
And Julie shouted in addition to the invitation: Yes, but well only invite you in installments not such a crowd at one time.
CHAPTER NINE THE CABINET MAKERS
wished to express.
Now that we have time, lets find that strawberry field and gather some for supper. It is allowable on Sunday, isnt it?
If its for use and not for pleasure, it is right, said the Captain.
Well, one cant exactly say it is for use, as one can do without berries; but they will taste mighty good with Lizas cake, you know, laughed Joan.
And we can honestly say they are not for pleasure, added Betty.
They are for gustatory pleasures, teased Mrs. Vernon.
Girls! Seeing our Captain is so particular, suppose we exempt her from any obligation she fears we might incur by picking berries on Sunday. I say, we will gather the fruit on our own responsibility but she shall not eat of that forbidden fruit, either, declared Julie, but at this point she was interrupted by Mrs. Vernon.