THE EXCUKSION. 
147 
Air. Crediton had given them a hint before 
starting which rather annoyed Annie:— 
“ Enjoy each other’s society as much as 
you can, girls; hut don’t be exclusive and 
make the others feel as if you did not want 
them. Remember that you are the oldest, 
and it is fully incumbent on you to enter¬ 
tain the rest.” 
Kate received this advice with her usual 
sweetness, and acted upon it at once; but 
Annie felt a good deal displeased, and at 
first seemed as if she had made up her 
mind not to enjoy any thing. But she 
was soon shamed out of this mood by 
seeing how agreeable Kate was making 
herself, and began to try to do her part, 
—rather stiffly at first, it must he confessed, 
and feeling as though it was rather unkind 
in Kate to enjoy herself so much in any 
society hut her’s. 
The proposed route to-day was new to 
all the children except David Barton, who 
had proposed it to Mr. Crediton. After 
leaving the village, they struck across two 
or three fields, crossed the little river upon 
stepping-stones,—with a deal of fun and 
merriment on the part of the hoys and 
