DR。PAULWINSHIPMineHostMRS。TRUTHWINSHIPTheGuardianAngelDICKYWINSHIPASmallScampofSixYearsBELLWINSHIPTheCampPoetessPOLLYOLIVERASweetbutSaucyLassMARGERYNOBLEANut-BrownMaydePHILIPNOBLETheUsefulMemberGEOFFREYSTRONGAHarvardBoyJACKHOWARDPrinceofMischiefHOPYETAHeathenChinee。
PANCHOGUTIERREZAMexicanman-of-all-work。
CHAPTERI:PREPARATIONANDDEPARTURE
\'Onetomakeready，andtwotoprepare。\'
Itwasnineo\'clockonesunnyCaliforniamorning，andGeoffreyStrongstoodunderthelive-oaktreesinLasFloresCanyon，withapotofblackpaintinonehandandahugebrushintheother。Hecouldhavehandledtheseimplementstobetterpurposeandwithbettergracehadnothisarmsbeenfirmlyheldbythreelaughinggirls，whopullednotwisely，buttoowell。Hewasfurtherincommodedbythepresenceofasmallurchinwholayonthedustygroundbeneathhisfeet，fasteninganupwardclutchonthelegsofhistrousers。
Therewerethreelargecanvastentsdirectlyinfrontofthem，yetnooneoftheseseemedtobetheobjectofdissension，butratheraredwoodboard，somethreefeetinlength，whichwasnailedonatreenearby。
\'CampFrolic!PleaseletusnameitCampFrolic!\'criedBellWinship，withapersuasivetwitchofhercousin\'ssleeve。
\'No，no；notCampFrolic，\'pleadedPollyOliver。\'Pray，prayletushaveCampHa-Ha；myheartissetuponit。\'
\'AsyouareStrong，bemerciful，\'quotedMargeryNoble，coaxingly；
\'takemyadviceandcallitHarmonyCamp。\'
Atthisjuncture，alovelywoman，whosesweetfaceandsmilemadeyouloveheratonce，cameupthehillfromthebrookside。\'What，what!
stillquarrelling，children?\'sheasked，laughingly。\'Letmebepeacemaker。I\'vejustaskedtheDoctorforaname，andhesuggestsCampChaparral。Whatdoyousay?\'
Bellreleasedonecoat-tail。\'Thatisn\'twhollybad，\'shesaid，critically，whiletheothergirlsclappedtheirhandswithapproval；
foranythingthatAuntTruthsuggestedwassuretobequiteright。
\'Waitaminute，goodpeople，\'criedJackHoward，flinginghisfishing-tackleunderatreeandsaunteringtowardthesceneofaction。\'Supposewehaveareferee，awiseandnoblejudge。CallHopYet，andlethimdecidethisall-importantsubject。\'
Hisnamebeingsungandshoutedinvariouskeysbytheassembledcompany，HopYetappearedatthedoorofthebrushkitchen，abroadgrinonhiscountenance，apluckedfowlinhishand。
Geoffreytookthefloor。\'Now，HopYet，youknowIgotname，yougotname，everybodygotname。Wewantnamethiscamp:yousabe?MissBell，shesayCampFrolic。Frolicallsameheapgoodtime\'(hereheexecutedasortofwar-dancewhichwasintendedtoexpresswildjoy)。
\'MissPauline，shesayCampHa-Ha，biglaugh:sabe?Ha!ha!ha!ha!
ha!ha!\'(chorusjoinedinbyalltofullyillustratethesubject)。
\'MissMadge，shesayCampHarmony。Harmonyallsameheapquiettime，plentyeat，plentydrink，plentysleep，nofight，notoomucheetalk。
Mrs。Winship，shesayCampChaparral:yousabe?Chaparral，HopYet。
Nowwhatyousay?\'
HopYetseemedtoregardthequestionwithmingledembarrassmentandamusement，butbeingasharpandtalkativeChinamangavehisanswerpromptly:\'MesayCampChap-lalheapgoodname；plentychap-lalalllound；mehangumdish-cloth，tow\'l，littleboy\'sstockin\'，onchap-
lal；allsameclo\'se-linevellygood。MissBellshefolic，MissPollysheha!ha!alleesameCampChap-lal。\'
AndsoCampChaparralitwas；theredwoodboardflauntedtheassertionbeforetheeyesofthepublic(whichwasaratherlimitedone，tobesure)inlessthanhalfanhour，andtheartist，afterpaintingthewordsinrusticlettersafootlong，cutbranchesofthestiff，ungraciousbushesandnailedthemtothetreeinconfirmationandillustrationofthefact。Hethencarefullydepositedthepaint-
potinasecretplace，whereitmightbeoutofsightandtouchofacertainsearchingeyeandmischievoushandwellknownandfearedofhim；butbeforethesettingsunhaddroppedbelowthelineofpurplemountaintops，asmallboy，whowillbeknownintheseannalsasDickyWinship，mighthavebeenseensittingontheemptypaint-pot，whilefromadingypooluponthegroundhewasattemptingtopaintacopyoftheaforesaidinscriptionuponthesideofatoopatientgoat，whosawnoharmintheoperation。Hewasalone，andvery，veryhappy。
AndnowImusttellyouthewayinwhichallthisbegan。Youmaynotrealiseit，dearyoungfolks，butthismethodoftellingastoryisverymuchthefashionwithgrown-uppeople，andofcourseIamnottoblame，sinceIdidn\'tbeginit。
Theplanisthis:Youmustfirstwriteachaptershowingallyourpeople，men，women，children，dogs，andcats，inacertainplace，doingcertainthings。Thenyoumustgobackayearortwoandexplainhowtheyallhappentobethere。Perhapsyoumayhavetodragyourreaderstwenty-fiveyearsintotheregionsofthepast，andshowthemthefirsttoothofyouroldestcharacter；butthatdoesn\'tmatterabit，——thefurtherthebetter。Then，wheneverybodyhasforgottenwhatcametopassinthefirstchapter，youarereadytotakeitupagain，asiftherehadneverbeenanyparenthesis。
However，Ishallnotintroduceyoutothecradles，cribs，ortrundle-
bedsofmymerryyoungcampers，butmerelyaskyoutoretraceyourstepsoneweek，andlookuponthemintheirhomes。
OnoneofthepleasanteststreetsofacertainlittleCaliforniatownstood，andstillstandsforaughtIknow，aprettybrowncottage，withitsverandahscoveredwithpassion-vineandabrilliantrose-
gardeninfront。Itispicturesqueenoughtoattracttheattentionofanypasser-by，andifyouhadchosentopeepthroughthecrevicesinthethickvinesandlookinattheopenwindow，youmighthavethoughtitlovelierwithinthanwithout。
Itwasabrightday，andthegraciousJunesunshinefloodedtheroomwithyellowlight。Threeyounggirls，perhapsfourteenorfifteenyearsold，wereseatedindifferentpartsofthelargeroom，plyingindustriouscrochetneedlesandtattingshuttles。Threepairsofbrighteyesweredancingwithfunandgladness；andanotherpair，thesoftestandclearestofall，lookedoutfromabroadwhitebedinthecorner，——tiredeyes，andoh，sopatient，forthehealth-givingbreezeswaftedinfromtheblueoceanandcarriedovermountaintopsandvine-coveredslopeshadsofarfailedtobringbackElsieHoward\'sstrengthandvigour。
Thegraceful，brown-hairedgirlwiththebright，laughter-lovingface，wasBellWinship。Sheofthedancingblueeyes，pinkcheeks，andrecklesslittlesun-bonnetwasPauline，otherwisePollyOliver。
DidyoueverknowaPollywithoutsomeoneofthesethings?Well，myPollyhadthemall，and，besides，asaucyfrecklednose，acrownoffluffy，reddish-yellowhair，andashowerofcoaxinglittlepitfallscalleddimplesroundherprettymouth。Shemadeyouthinkofasunbeam，amorningsongbird，adancingbutterfly，oranimpetuouslittlecrocusjustoutafterthefirstspringshower。Dislikeher?
Youcouldn\'t。Approveofher?Youwouldn\'talways。Loveher?Ofcourse；youcouldn\'thelpyourself，——Idefyyou。
Tobesure，ifyoupreferaquietlife，anddonotwanttobeledintoexploitsofallkinds，invariablybeginningwithrisk，attendedwithdanger，andculminatingindespair，youhadbetternotengageinanintimatefriendshipwithMissPaulineOliver，butfixyouraffectionsonthequiet，thoughtful，butnotlesslovablegirlwhositsbythebedsidestrokingElsieHoward\'sthinwhitehand。
Nevertheless，IamobligedtostatethatMargeryNobleherself，earnest，demure，andgiventoreflection，wasPolly\'swillingslaveandvictim。However，I\'veforgottentotellyouthatPollywasasopenandfrankasthedaylight，atoncetorridandconstantinheraffections，brave，self-forgettingaswellasself-willed；andthatthoughshedidhaveatonguejusttheleastbitsaucy，sheuseditvaliantlyinthedefenceofothers。\'She\'llcomeoutallright，\'
saidadearold-fashionedgrandfatherofherswhomshehadleftwaybackinaVermontfarmhouse。\'She\'sgottobepurgedo\'considerabledross，butshe\'llcomeoutpuregold，Itellyou。\'
Pretty，wise，tenderMargeryNoble，withhersleekbrownbraids，herinnocent，questioningeyes，hersoftvoice，willinghands，andshy，quietmanners!\'Shewilleitherendasthematronofanorphanasylumorashead-nurseinahospital。\'SoBellWinshipoftenusedtosay；butthenshewaschieflycelebratedfortalkingnonsense，andnobodyeverpaidmuchattentiontoher。Butifyoushouldcraveabreathoffreshair，orwanttobelievethatthespringhascome，justcallBellWinshipin，asshewalkswithherbreezystepdownthestreet。Herveryhairseemsinstinctwithlife，withitsflyingtendrilsofbronzebrightnessandtheriotouslittlecurlsonherbrowandtemples。Then，too，shehasaparticularlyjauntywayofputtingonherjacket，orwearingafloweroraribbon；andasforherringingpealoflaughter，itislikeachimeofsilverbells。
ElsieHoward，theinvalidfriendofthegirls，wasasdeartothemastheyweretoeachother。Shekeptthesecretsofthe\'firm\'；mournedovertheirgriefsandsmiledovertheirjoys；wasproudoftheirtalentsandtenderlyblindtotheirfaults。Thelittlewickerrocking-chairbythebedsidewasoftenmadeasortofconfessional，atwhichshepresided，thetenderestandmostsympatheticlittlepriestessintheuniverse；andeveryafternoonthepiazza，withitslatticeofgreenvines，servedasamimicthrone-room，whereshewaswonttoholdhighcourt，surroundedbyherdevotedsubjects。HereGeoffreyStrongusedoftentoreadtotheassembledcompanyDavidCopperfield，AliceinWonderland，orsnatchesfromthemagazines，whileJackHowardlazilystretchedhimselfundertheorange-treesandbraidedlariats，afavouriteoccupationwithCaliforniaboys。Aboutfouro\'clockPhilipNoblewouldrideupfromhisfather\'sfruitranch，somethreemilesoutontheSanMarcosroad，and，hitchinghislittlesorrelmareChispaatthegate，stayanhourbeforegoingtothepost-office。
Thisparticularafternoon，however，wasnotoneofElsie\'sbrightones，andtherewasnosignofcourtorinvalidqueenonthepiazza。
ThevoicesofthegirlsfloatedoutfromElsie\'sbedroom，whiletheboys，too，seemedtobesomewhereinthevicinity，fortherewasaconstantstirringaboutasoflivelypreparation，togetherwithnoiseofhammeringandsawing。
\'Ifyouwereonlygoing，Elsie，ourcupofhappinesswouldbefull，\'
sighedBell。
\'Notonlywoulditbefull，Bell，butitwouldberunningover，andweshouldpositivelystandintheslop，\'saidPolly。\'No，youneedn\'tfrownatme，miss；thatexpressionisborrowedfromnolessapersonthanSydneySmith。\'
\'Don\'tthinkanymoreaboutme，\'smiledElsie。\'PerhapsIcancomedowninthecourseofthesummer。Iknowitwillbethehappiesttimeintheworld，butIdon\'tenvyyouabit；infact，I\'mverygladyou\'regoing，becauseyou\'llhavesuchalovelybudgetofadventurestotellmewhenyoucomeback。\'
\'Whenwecomeback，indeed!\'exclaimedBell。\'Why，weshallwritelonground-robinletterseveryfewdays，andsendthembytheteam。
PapasaysPanchowillhavetogoovertothestagestationatleastonceaweekforlettersandanyprovisionswemayneed。\'
\'Oh，won\'tthatbedelightful，——almostasgoodasbeingtheremyself!
And，Margerydear，youmustmakethemtellmeeveryleastlittlethingthathappens。Youknowtheyaresuchfly-awaysthatthey\'llonlywritemewhentheylearntoswim，orshootawildcat，orgetlostinthewoods。Iwanttoknowallthestupidbits:whatyouhavefordinner，howandwhereyousleep，howyourcamplooks，whatyoudofrommorningtillnight，andhowDickybehaves。\'
\'Icantellyouthatbeforehand，\'saidBell，dolefully。\'JackwillshoothimbymistakeonThursday；hewillbekickedbythehorsesFriday，andbittenbytarantulasandrattlesnakesSaturday；hewilleatpoisonoakonSunday，getlostinthecanyonMonday，beeatenbyabearTuesday，anddrownedinthepoolWednesday。Theseincidentswillcompletehisfirstweek；andiftheyproducenoeffectonhisnaturallystrongconstitution，hewilltreatustoanotherweek，containingjustasmanymishaps，butnoduplicates。\'
Bythetimethisdismalprophecywasendedtheothergirlswereinabreathlessfitoflaughter，thoughallacknowledgeditwaslikelytobefulfilled。
\'Iwentoverthecamping-groundlastsummer，\'saidMargery。\'Youknowitisquitenearpapa\'ssheepranch，anditiscertainlythemostbeautifulplaceinCalifornia。Thetentswillbepitchedatthemouthofthecanyon，wherethereisaviewoftheocean，andjustatthebackwillbealovelygroveofwildoaksandsycamore-trees。\'
\'Oh，won\'titbedelicious!\'sighedElsie。\'IfeelasifIcouldsnifftheairthisminute。Butthere!Iwon\'tpretendthatI\'mdyingforfreshair，withthebreathoftheseacominginatmysouthwindow，andawhiffofjasmineandhoneysucklefromthepiazza。Thatwouldbenonsense。Areyourtrunkspacked?\'
\'Trunks!\'exclaimedPolly。\'Wouldyoubelieveit，ourclothesarepackedingunny-sacks!Westartinourcamping-dresses，withulstersforthesteameranddustersforthelongdrive。Thenweeachhave——
letmeseewhatwehave:ashort，toughriding-skirtwithajersey，abathing-dress，andsomeginghammorning-gownstowearaboutthecampatbreakfast-time。\'
\'Andflannelgownsforthenight，andtwopairsofboots，andariding-capandonehatapiece，\'addedMargery。
\'Butoh，Elsie，mydear，youshouldseeDickyinhiscamping-suits，\'
laughedBell。\'Theyareatriumphofinventiononmamma\'spart。
Justimagine!oneisofsomeenamelledcloththatwasleftoverfromthenewcarriagecushions；itisveryshinyandelegant；andtheother，truly，isofsofttannedleather，andjustasprettyasitcanbe。Thenhehashob-nailed，copper-toedboots，andahatthattiesunderhischin。Poorlittleman，hehaslosthiscurls，too，andlooksratherlikeaconvict。\'
Mrs。HowardcameinthedoorwhileBellwasspeaking，andlaughedheartilyatthedescriptionofDicky\'scuriousoutfit。\'Whattimedoyoustart?\'sheasked，asshelaidabunchofmignonetteonElsie\'stable。
\'Atelevento-morrowmorning，\'Bellanswered。\'Everythingispacked。
Wearetostartinthesteamer，andwhenwecometoouroldlanding，aboutfortymilesdownthecoast，wearetogetoffandtakeathree-
seatedthorough-bracewagon，anddriveovertoLasFloresCanyon。
Panchohashiredafunnylittlepackmule；hesaysweshallneedoneingoingupthemountain，andthattheboyscantakehimwhentheygooutshooting，——tocarrythedeerhome，youknow。\'
\'IfIcanbringElsiedown，asIhope，wemustcomebyland，\'saidMrs。Howard。\'Ithoughtwecouldtaketwodaysforthejourney，sleepingattheBurtons\'ranchontheway。Thedoctorsaysthatifshecangetstrengthenoughtobeartheride，theopen-airlifewilldohergood，evenifshedoesnothingbutlieinthehammock。\'
\'Andbewaiteduponbysixwillingslaves，\'addedPolly。
\'Andbefedoncannedcornedbeefandtomatostew，\'laughedBell。
\'Notabitofit，\'saidMargery。\'HopYetisasplendidcook，ifhehasanythingtocook，andwe\'llfeedheronbroiledtitbitsofbabyvenison，goat\'smilk，wildbees\'honey，andcunninglittlemourningdoves，roastedonaspit。\'
\'Goodgracious，\'criedBell，\'whatangels\'food!onlyIwouldassoondevourapetcanaryasamourningdove。ButtothinkthatI\'vebeentryingtodietforaweekinordertogetintimatewithsufferingandprivation!Pollycametostaywithmeonenight，andwesleptonthefloor，withonlyablanketunderus，andnopillow；itwasperfectlyhorrid。Pollydreamedthathergrandfatherateuphergrandmother，andIthatDickystabbedtheJerseycalfwithapickle-fork。\'
\'Horrors!\'ejaculatedMargery；\'that\'sapleasantprospectforyourfuturebedfellows。Ihopethegopherswon\'tmakeyounervous，gnawingandscratchinginthestraw；Igotusedtothemlastsummer。
Butwereallymustgo，darling，\'andshestoopedtokissElsiegood-
bye。
\'Well，Isupposeyouought，\'sheanswered。\'Butrememberyouaretostartfromthisgate；AuntTruthhaspromisedmethefunofseeingyououtofsight。\'
Thegirlswentoutatasidedoor，andjoinedtheboys，whowerebusilyatworkcleaningtheirgunsonthebroadwesternporch。
\'Howareyoucomingon?\'questionedPolly。
\'Oh，finely，\'answeredJack，whoalwaysconstitutedhimselfchiefspokesman，unlessdrivenfromtherostrumbysomeonepossessedofanimblertongue。\'Ionlyhopeyourfemininetogsareinhalfasgoodorder。\'
\'Wetakenobaggagetospeakof，\'saidBell，loftily。\'Papahascutusdowntotheverylastnotch，andsaysthelawallowsveryfewpoundsonthistrip。\'
\'Thelessthebetter，\'quothGeoff，cheerily；\'thenyou\'llhavetopolishupyourmentaljewels。\'
\'Whichyouconsiderimitation，Isuppose，\'sniffedPolly。
\'Perishthethought!\'criedJack。\'But，speakingofmentaljewels，youshouldseethearrangementsGeoffhasmadeforpolishinghis。Hehasactuallystuckinsixlargevolumes，anyoneofwhichwouldbearemedyforsleeplessness。Whatareyougoingtostudy，MissPol-y-
on-o-mousOliver?\'
\'Now，Jack，letusdecideatoncewhetheryouintendtoberespectfulornot。Idon\'tproposetoexposemyselftoyournonsensefortwomonthsunlessyoumakemegoodpromises。\'
\'Why，thatwasn\'tdisrespectful。Itismynewestword，anditsimplymeanshavingmanytitles。I\'msureyouhavemorethanmostpeople。\'
\'Verywell，then!I\'lloverlooktheirreverencethistime，andannouncethatIshallnottakeanythingwhatevertoread，butsimplyreflectuponwhatIknowalready。\'
\'Thatmaylastforthefirstweek，\'saidBell，slyly，\'butwhatwillyoudoafterward?\'
\'I\'llreflectuponwhatyoudon\'tknow，\'retortedPolly。\'Thatwilleasilyoccupymetwomonths。\'
Fortunately，attheverymomentthisstingingremarkwasmade，PhilNobledasheduptothefrontgate，flunghisbridleoverthehitching-post，andliftedhishatfromaverywarmbrow。
\'Hail，chiefofthecommissarydepartment!\'criedGeoffrey，withmocksalute。\'Haveyoudespatchedtheteam?\'
\'Yes；everythingisallright，\'saidPhil，breathlessly，deliveringhimselfofhisinformationinspasmodicburstsofwords。\'Suchalotofworkitwas!here\'sthelist。Panchowilldumpthemonthegroundandletussettlethemwhenwegetthere。Suchaload!Youshouldhaveseenit!HardlyroomforhimtositupinfrontwiththeChinaman。Justhearthis，\'andhedrewalargedocumentfromwhatPollycalled\'aback-stairspocket。\'
\'Fortycanscornedbeef，fourguns，threeDutchcheeses，pickles，fishing-tackle，flour，bacon，threebushelsonions，crateofdishes，Jack\'sbanjo，potatoes，ShortHistoryoftheEnglishPeople，cookingutensils，threehairpillows，boxofginger-snaps，fourhammocks，coffee，cartridges，sugar，Macaulay\'sEssays，Pond\'sextract，sixteenhams，Bell\'sguitar，pop-corn，molasses，salt，St。Jacob\'sOil，ConquestofMexico，sackofalmonds，flea-powder，andsmokedherring。
Whew!Ipackedthemallmyself。\'
\'Inpreciselythatorder?\'questionedPolly。
\'Inpreciselythatorder，MissOliver，\'returnedPhil，urbanely。
\'AnyonewhofeelsthatsaidpackingmightbeimproveduponhasonlytomountthefleetArabianyonder\'(theanimalalludedtoseizedthismomenttostandonthreelegs，hanghishead，andlookdejected)，\'and，givinghimtherein，speedo\'erthetracklessplainwhichleadstoSanMiguel，o\'ertaketheteam，andre-packthecontentsaccordingtoherownsatisfaction。\'
\'Nobutter，noreggs，norfreshvegetables?\'askedMargery。\'Weshallstarve!\'
\'Notatall，\'quothJack。\'Pollywillgracefullydisposeahorse-
blanketabouthershoulders，toshieldherfromthechilldewsoftheearlymorn，mountthepackmuleexactlyatcock-croweveryday，andridetoaneighbouringranchwheretherearetonsoftheaforesaidarticlesawaitingourconsumption。\'
\'Canyouseemedoingit，girls?Doesitseementirelynatural?\'
askedPolly，withgreatgravity。
\'Nowhearmyreportaschairmanofthecommitteeofarrangements，\'
saidGeoffreyStrong，seatinghimselfwithdignityonabarrelofnails。\'Thetents，ropes，tool-boxes，bed-sacks，blankets，furniture，etc。，allwentdownonMonday\'ssteamer，andIhaveatelegramfromLarry\'sLandingsayingthattheyarrivedingoodorder，andthataMexicangentlemanwhoownsamammothwood-cartwilltakethemupto-morrowwhenwegoourselves。TheprocessionwillmoveatoneP。M。，windandweatherpermitting，inthefollowingorder:-
\'1。ChiefNobleonhisgallantbroncho。
\'2。CommanderStrongonhisditto，ditto。
\'3。Mainconveyanceortriumphalchariot，drivenbyAide-de-CampJohnHoward，andcarryingDr。andMrs。Winship，ourmostworshipfulandbenignanthostandhostess；MasterDickWinship，theheir-
apparent；threeotheryoungpersonsnotworthmentioning；andfourcansofbestleaflard，whichIomittedtoputwiththeotherprovisions。
\'4。Wood-cartcontainingbaggage，drivenbySenorDonManuelFelipeHilarioNoriegafromDeadWoodGulch。
\'5。Onesmalltanterrier。\'
\'Oh，Geoff，Geoff，praydostop!it\'stoomuch!\'criedthegirlsinafitoflaughter。
\'Hurrah!\'shoutedJack，tossinghishatintoatalleucalyptus-treeinhisexcitement，\'Tentlifeforever!\'
\'Good-bye，yepompsandvanities!\'chantedBell，kissingherhandinimaginaryfarewell。\'Verilythenoisycityshallknowusnomore，forwedepartforthegreenforests。\'
\'AndthecitywillnotbeasnoisyWHENyoudepart，\'murmuredJack，withanimpudencethatluckilypassedunnoticed。
\'IfElsiecouldonlycometoo!\'sighedPolly。
WednesdaymorningdawnedasbrightandbeautifulasallmorningsarewonttodawninSouthernCalifornia。Alightmisthungovertheoldadobemissionchurch，throughwhich，withitssnow-whitetowersandcold，clear-cutlines，itroselikeafrozenfairycastle。Bellopenedhersleepyeyeswiththeveryearliestbirds，andrunningtothelittleovalwindow，framedwithwhite-rosevines，lookedoutatthenewdayjustcreepingupintotheworld。
\'Ohdearandbeautifulhomeofmine，howcharming，howcharmingyouare!IwonderifyouarenotreallyParadise!\'shesaid，dreamily；
andthemarvelisthattherisingsundidnotstopamomentinsheersurpriseatthesightofthisradiantmorningvision；fortheovalwindowopeningtotheeastwasaprettyframe，withitsoutlinemarkedbythedewyrose-vinecoveredwithhundredsofpure，half-
openedbudsandswayingtendrils，andshestoodthereinit，afairimageofthemorninginherinnocentwhitegown。Herluminouseyesstillmirroredtheshadowyvisionsofdreamland，mingledwithdancinglightsofhopeandjoyfulanticipation；whileonherfreshcheeks，whichhadnotyetlosttheroundnessofchildhood，thereglowed，asintheeasternskies，thefaintpinkblushofthemorning。
Thetownisyetasleep，andintruthitisneverapttobefairlywideawake。Theairissoftandbalmy；thelovelyPacific，aquivering，sparklingsheetofblueandgreyandgreenfleckedwithwhitefoam，stretchesfaroutuntilitislostintherosysky；andthemountains，allpurpleandpinkandfaintcrimsonandgrey，standlikesentinelsalongtheshore。Thescentoftheroses，violets，andmignonettemingledwiththecloyingfragranceofthedaturaisheavyinthestillair。Thebending，willowypepper-treesshowmyriadbunchesofyellowblossoms，crimsonseed-berries，andfreshgreenleaves，whosesurface，notrain-washedformonths，isasfullofcolourasever。Thepalm-treesrisewithoutabranch，tall，slender，andgraceful，fromthewarmlygenerousearth，andspreadatlast，asiftiredoftheirstraightness，intobeautifulcrownsoffans，whichswaytowardeachotherwitheverybreathofair。Innumerablebutterfliesandhumming-birds，inthehot，dazzlingsunshineofnoonday，willbehoveringoverthebedsofsweetpurpleheliotropeandfindingtheirwayintotheheartsofthepassion-flowers，butasyetnotthefaintestwhirrofwingscanbeheard。Lookingeastwardorwestward，youseeeitherbrownfoot-hills，or，alittlelateron，emeraldslopeswhosevineshangheavywiththehalf-ripenedgrapes。
Andhark!Asilverynotestrikesonthedewystillness。Itisthemissionbellringingformorningmass；andifyoulookyonderyoumayseetheFranciscanfriarsgoingtoprayers，withtheirloosegreygowns，theirgirdleofrope，theirsandaledfeet，andtheirjinglingrosaries；andperhapsaSpanishsenorita，withhertrailingdress，andblackshawllooselythrownoverherhead，fromoutthefoldsofwhichhertwodarkeyesburnlikegleamingfires。AsolitaryMexicangallopsby，withgaylydecoratedsaddleandheavilyladensaddle-bagshangingfromit；perhapsheistakinghomeprovisionstohiswifeanddark-eyedbabieswholiveupinalittledimpleofthemountainside，almosthiddenfromsightbytheolive-trees。Andthenapatient，hardylittlemustanglopesalongthestreet，bearingonhisbackthreelaughingboys，onebehindtheother，onamorningrideintotownfromthemesa。
Themisthadfloatedawayfromtheoldmissionnow，thesunhasclimbedalittlehigher，andBellhascomeawayfromthewindowinagentlemood。
\'Oh，Polly，Idon\'tseehowanybodycanbewickedinsuchabeautiful，beautifulworld。\'
\'Humph!\'saidPolly，dippinghercurlyheaddeepintothewater-bowl，andcominguplookinglikealittledrownedkitten。\'Whenyouwanttobehateful，youdon\'tstoptothinkwhetheryou\'relookingatacactusorarosebush，doyou?\'
\'Verytrue，\'sighedBell，quitesilencedbythispracticalillustration。\'NowI\'lltrytheeffectofthelandscapeonmytemperbydressingDicky，whilehedancesabouttheroomandplayswithhistanterrier。\'
ButithappenedthatDickywasonhisverybestbehaviour，andstoodasstillasasignpostwhilebeingdressed。Itistrueheateacoupleofmatchesandtumbleddown-stairstwicebeforebreakfast，sothatafterthathurriedmealBelltiedhimtooneoftheverandahposts，thathemightnotcommitanyactviciousenoughtokeepthemathome。Ashehadahugepocketfullofapricotshewasinperfectgood-humour，nottakinghisconfinementatalltoheart，inasmuchasitcommandedafullviewofthesceneofaction。Hisamiabilitywasfurtherincreased，moreover，bythepossessionofabrightnewpoliceman\'swhistle，whichwascarefullytiedtohisbutton-holebyaneatlittlesilkcord，andwhichhisfondparentsintendedthatheshouldblowifhechancedtofallintodangerduringhisramblesaboutthecamp。Wemightaswellstatehere，however，thatthisprecautionprovedfruitless，forheblewitatalltimesandseasons；
andeverybodybecamesohardenedtoitsmelodiousshriekthattheypaidnoattentiontoitwhatever，——history，orfable，thusagainrepeatingitself。
Mr。andMrs。NoblehaddrivenMargeryandPhilintotownfromthefruitranch，andwerewaitingtoseethepartyoff。
Mrs。OliverwastoliveintheWinshiphouseduringtheabsenceofthefamily，andwasaidingthemtodothosenumberlesslittlethingsthatarealwaysfoundundoneatthelastmoment。Shehadgivenherimpetuousdaughteradozenfondembraces，smotheringineachagentlewarning，andstoodnowwithMrs。Winshipatthegate，watchingthethreegirls，whohadgoneontobidElsiegood-bye。
\'IhopePaulinewon\'tgiveyouanytrouble，\'shesaid。\'Sheissoapttobetooimpulsiveandthoughtless。\'
\'Ishallenjoyher，\'saidsweetAuntTruth，withthatbright，cordialsmileofhersthatwaslikeablessing。\'Shehasaverylovingheart，andiseasilyled。Howprettythegirlslook，andhowdifferenttheyare!Pollyislikeathistledownorafirefly，MargerylikeoneofourhomeMayflowers，andIcan\'thelpthinkingmyBelllikeasunbeam。\'
Thegirlsdidlookverypretty；fortheirmothershadfashionedtheircamping-dresseswithmuchcareandtaste，takinggreatpainstomakethempicturesqueandappropriatetotheirsummerlife\'underthegreenwoodtree。\'
OveraplainfullskirtofheavycrimsonsergeBellworeahuntingjacketanddraperyofdarkleaf-green，likeabitofforestagainstasunset。Herhair，whichfellinawavingmassofburnishedbrightnesstoherwaist，wascaughtbyasilverarrow，andcrownedbyawidesofthatofcrimsonfeltencircledwithabird\'sbreast。
Margeryworeasoftgreyflannel，thecolourofadove\'sthroat，adornedwithrowsuponrowsofsilverbraidandsparklingsilverbuttons；whileherbiggreyhathadnothingbutasilvercordandtasseltiedrounditinSpanishfashion。
Pollywasallinsailorblue，withadistractinglynattylittledouble-breastedcoatandgreatwhiterollingcollar。Herhatswunginherhand，asusual，showingherboyishheadofsunnyauburncurls，andshecarriedonaneatchatelaineasilvercupandlittleclasp-
knife，aswasthecustomintheparty。
