第11章

Everybodywashilariousoverthisdecisionsavethemen-of-all-work,wholongedunspeakablyforalesspoeticexistence——HopYetparticularly,whothoughtcampingout\'notmucheegood。\'

Dickywasmorepleasedthananybody,perhaps,aseverydayinthecanyonwasonedaylessinschool;notthathehadeverbeentoschool,butheknewinadvance,instinctively,thatitwouldn\'tsuithim。Accordingly,hesoughtthewettestpossibleplacesandplayedalldaywithsuperhumanenergy。HefinallyfoundHopYet\'sboxofblueingunderatree,inaverymoistandattractivestateoffluidity,andjustbeforedinnerimprovedthelastshininghourbypaintinghimselfabrillianthueandappearingatdinnerinsuchafiendishguisethathefrightenedthefamilyintofits。

NowDr。Winshipwasoneofthemostweather-wisemeninCalifornia,andhispredictionswerealwaysquitesafeandsensible;butsomehoworotheritdidrainagainintwoorthreedays,anditpouredharderthanever,too。Tobesure,itclearedpromptly,butthedoctorwasafraidtotrustsofickleapersonastheClerkoftheWeatherhadbecome,andmarchingorderswereissued。

Theboystrampedoveralltheirfavouritebitsofcountry,andthegirlsvisitedalltheirbestbelovedhaunts,everyoneofthemdearfromathousandcharmingassociations。TheylookedforthelasttimeinMirrorPool,andsawthereflectionoftheirfaces——rathergravefacesjustthen,overtheleave-taking。

Thewater-mirrormighthavebeengladtokeepthepictureforeveronitssurface——Margerywithhersleekbraidsandsereneforehead;withPolly,saucynoseandmischievouseyes,laughingatyoulikeamerrywater-sprite;Bell,withherbrilliantcheeksglowingliketworosesjustfalleninthebrook;andGoldElsie,who,ifyouhadputaframeofgreenleavesaboutherdelicatefaceandyellowlocks,wouldhavelookedupatyoulikeawater-lily。

TheywaftedafarewelltoPicoNegro,andhavinggotridoftheboys,privatelyembracedacertainWhisperingTreeunderwhosesingingbranchestheyhadbeenwonttolieandlistentoallthemurmuringthatwentonintheforest。

Thentheyclamberedintothegreatthorough-bracewagon,wheretheyallsatingloomysilencefortenminutes,whileDicky\'stanterrierwasfoundforthefourthtimethatmorning;andthelongtrain,withitsbaggage-carts,itssaddle-horsesanditsdoggedlittlepack-

mules,moveddowntherockysteepsthatledtocivilisation。Thegatethatshuttheminfromthecountyroadandtheouterworldwasopenedforthelasttime,andshutwithaclang,anditwasallover——

theirsummerinacanyon!