Alice skipped around as they made preparations, running back and forth, and helping Marty with tumblers and a pitcher of cool water from the spring.

Even the Merediths were not prepared for such a feast! Aunt Janice had everything good imaginable, packed to overflowing, in the basket; enough and more to spare, even after the hungry boys and girls, had eaten all they could, with "Gem" to do his part.

"There's not quite enough left for another picnic!" Beth looked over the table and gave a little sigh.

Everyone joined in the laugh that followed.

"Why, you sound sorry," Nora said, "we'll leave the rest of the feast for Jerry's and Marty's Grandfather."

Jerry's face brightened, although he began to demur, but Harry and Don ended the discussion at once, by declaring they would certainly not lug the heavy basket back again.

"Won't you get hungry though?" Marty's eyes rested on the delightful things left.

"No, indeed; supper will be waiting and ready, when we get back to the castle."

"It's beginning to get late, too--we've stayed here so long, since finding you and Jerry in the cabin."

"Please, don't go yet," Marty began, fearing Janey's remark was leading up to that point.

"We promised Aunt Janice to be back by sundown, and we haven't explored very much of the forest," Nora smiled.

"Then you'll come another day," Jerry proposed, "and Marty and I can go along too; I'm sure Grandfather will be willing."

Another happy hour slipped by, and then the Merediths knew their time was really up.

"I just wish you could all live here," Marty's eyes were beginning to look cloudy.

"We'll come soon again, and of course you and Jerry are to be guests at the party, whenever it comes off."

"Of course," Nora joined in with Janey, at once--"Aunt Janice told us that we could invite any one we met out here."

Marty and Beth had caught hands at the mention of a party and were dancing around in a circle. Then Nora began laughing--

"Why, we've had such a pleasant day, that we forgot all about digging up wild ferns to carry back with us."

"The party won't be for awhile yet, and so after all we'll have a plenty of time," Don said. "I think Aunt Janice will agree that it's better to make another trip for them anyway."

"I'm sure she will--" Beth had her arms around Marty, "and you and Jerry will know where we can find the prettiest ones."

Good-byes were at last over, and they all waved until Marty and Jerry were swallowed up by the shadowy forest trees.

"Forward--march--" ordered Don--"it's almost sunset!"

"After a delightful day!"

Nora spoke softly, as they followed the trail, that led out of the forest.

"And, I believe, we've found two more on our quest for happy hearts," she ended, joyously.

CHAPTER VII

TALKING OVER THE DAY

After supper was over, Aunt Janice gathered the Merediths in a circle around her, to talk over the happenings of the day spent in the forest.

"What exciting adventure did you have?"

There was a twinkle in the old lady's eyes, and Janey seeing it, knew that Aunt Janice was wondering what made them forget to bring back the ferns that they had set out so bravely to gather.

"We truly did have a delightful adventure," they all chorused, in reply to her question--"and we could hardly wait to tell you about it."

"Let's begin at the beginning."

"Naturally," Don said, glancing over at Janey--"that's the right place to start."

"--Don--Aunt Janice is waiting."

"Well--we got deep into the forest, when suddenly, at the end of a long narrow path there appeared a--log cabin!"

"We thought at first it might be a gypsy hut!"

"Don't be silly, Beth--you've forgotten that gypsies wander from place to place."

"Never mind," Aunt Janice spoke softly--"what did you find?"

"Marty and Jerry and 'Gem'." Alice could wait no longer for a turn to speak.

"She has climaxed the story before the climax!"

They all joined in the general laughter that followed the youngest Meredith's remark.

"You'd love Marty and Jerry, Aunt Janice," Nora said--"they are really delightful, and I'm sure you'll approve of our asking them to the party."

The old lady smiled, as she looked around on the eager faces. She was thinking of Mr. Greyson, the children's grandfather, who had known better days, but on account of reverses, had been so reduced, that he had come out from the city and asked work of her as a forester. Old Peter Greyson was proud and would have nothing except what he earned.

"Do you know Marty and Jerry?"

"I know of them, but the grandfather is quite a worthy man, and I'm glad you discovered the children."

"Do you think the grandfather will let them come?"

Beth's mind was on the forthcoming party.

"We shall certainly hope so. I'm sure if he could be made to see that he is depriving them of pleasure by keeping them so close, he would."