62 THE BUTTERFLY HUNTERS. 



" We will braid some wreaths, too, to put round the plates 

 of cake and bread and butter," said Annie ; and, while 

 waiting for the return of the party, the two girls braided 

 long wreaths of the bright, shining leaves. 



"The boys are on their way back to the Rock," said 

 Mr. Benedict, "and all clamoring for cakes. They have 

 been all through the woods and down by the river. Here 

 they come." 



The boys were all talking and laughing as they came 

 out of the woods. Close behind them came the girls 

 carrying their baskets heaped with flowers. 



" Now," said Queen Annie, " the boys may bring the 

 baskets, and the girls shall arrange the table." 



When the baskets were brought, Annie commanded the 

 boys to take the pails and bring water from the spring. 

 While they were gone, the girls opened the baskets. They 

 laid pieces of clean paper on the rock, and put the eata- 

 bles upon them. There were tarts and cakes and thin 

 slices of bread and butter, and sandwiches, and a great 

 basket of berries. Over the contents of the "dishes," as 

 the girls said, they laid covers of paper. Then Maggie 

 brought the Oak-wreaths and twisted them round among 

 the " dishes " until all the girls pronounced the table per- 

 fect. 



" Don't you think some of your flowers would look pretty, 

 too ? " said Annie. 



