A DAY OF PLAY 
15S 
several large cones were lying about. Besides, it 
was cool and shady in there. 
“This is a good way to keep you children out of 
the broiling sun,’’ Mrs. Keith said, and again I 
hardly dared to look at Mr. Percy. “But,” she 
continued, “as long as I was here with your Aunt 
Amanda, I never set foot within these six trees.” 
Joseph and I hoped she would do it soon again, 
and that she would call us for strawberry-shortcake 
every time. We never expect, however, to man- 
age Mrs. Keith, although we sometimes try to per- 
suade Timothy Pennell of our wisdom. Mrs. 
Keith, we know, has an idea of bringing us up to 
do credit to our great-aunt’s memory. Usually, 
however, she is very kind and, now that the blush- 
rose bush is in bloom, we have the courage to ask 
for anything. 
Joseph was very merry at the picnic, and so was 
Mr. Percy. Queenie paid strict attention to the 
shortcake. 
“There is not a flower in here,” said Mrs. Keith, 
“nor a butterfly for you children to wonder about.” 
“There is a strawberry,” said Queenie, before 
she had finished speaking. 
“My children,” Mrs. Keith said to Mr. Percy, 
and it was Joseph and me that she meant, “are 
working with the flowers all day and dreaming 
about them all night. Now, if I had my life to 
live over again, I would study the great trees.” 
