"
II.
The next afternoon many merry companies of young people explored the
country round about Hazelton in quest of May-flowers. That in which we
are interested numbered Frances, Ellen, her brother Joe, their little
sister Teresa, and their other cousins, Elsie and Will Grey.
"I generally have to join another band," Ellen confided to Frances, as
they walked along in advance of the rest; "because Joe does not usually
care to go. He is very good about making the baskets for me; but, as
he says, he 'don't take much stock in hanging them.' Yet, to-day he
seems to be as anxious to get a quantity of the prettiest flowers as
any one. Will comes now because Joe does. But Joe has some notion in
his head. I wish I could find out what it is!"
Frances speculated upon the subject a few minutes; but, not being able
to afford any help toward solving the riddle, she speedily forgot it in
the pleasure of rambling through the fields, so newly green that the
charm of novelty lingered like dew upon them; and among the lanes,
redolent with the perfume of the first cherry blossoms,--for the season
was uncommonly advanced.
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