After a time they came on a kind
of glade, opening upwards though the wood, with one large oak-tree
standing alone in the centre, and behold! on the grass below sat or
lay a company-—Mrs. Joseph Brownlow in the midst, under the obnoxious
mushroom-hat, reading aloud. Radiating from her were five boys, the
biggest of all on his back, with his hat over his eyes, fast asleep;
another cross-legged, with a basket between his knees, dividing his
attention between it and the book; two more lying frog-like, with
elbows on the ground, feet erected behind them, chin in hand,
devouring the narrative with their eyes; the fifth wriggling
restlessly about, evidently in search of opportunities of mischief or
of tormenting tricks. Just within earshot, but sketching the
picturesque wooden bridge below, sat one girl. The little one, with
her youngest brother, was close at their mother's feet, threading
flowers to make a garland. It was a pretty sight, and so intent were
most of the party on their occupations that they never saw the pair
on the bank till Joe, the idler, started and rolled round with
"Hollo!" when all turned, it may be feared with muttered growls from
some of the boys; but Carey herself gave a cry of joy, ran down the
bank like a girl, and greeted Mary Ogilvie with an eager embrace.
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