DR。PAULWINSHIPMineHostMRS。TRUTHWINSHIPTheGuardianAngelDICKYWINSHIPASmallScampofSixYearsBELLWINSHIPTheCampPoetessPOLLYOLIVERASweetbutSaucyLassMARGERYNOBLEANut-BrownMaydePHILIPNOBLETheUsefulMemberGEOFFREYSTRONGAHarvardBoyJACKHOWARDPrinceofMischiefHOPYETAHeathenChinee。
PANCHOGUTIERREZAMexicanman-of-all-work。
CHAPTERI:PREPARATIONANDDEPARTURE
'Onetomakeready，andtwotoprepare。'
Itwasnineo'clockonesunnyCaliforniamorning，andGeoffreyStrongstoodunderthelive-oaktreesinLasFloresCanyon，withapotofblackpaintinonehandandahugebrushintheother。Hecouldhavehandledtheseimplementstobetterpurposeandwithbettergracehadnothisarmsbeenfirmlyheldbythreelaughinggirls，whopullednotwisely，buttoowell。Hewasfurtherincommodedbythepresenceofasmallurchinwholayonthedustygroundbeneathhisfeet，fasteninganupwardclutchonthelegsofhistrousers。
Therewerethreelargecanvastentsdirectlyinfrontofthem，yetnooneoftheseseemedtobetheobjectofdissension，butratheraredwoodboard，somethreefeetinlength，whichwasnailedonatreenearby。
'CampFrolic!PleaseletusnameitCampFrolic!'criedBellWinship，withapersuasivetwitchofhercousin'ssleeve。
'No，no；notCampFrolic，'pleadedPollyOliver。'Pray，prayletushaveCampHa-Ha；myheartissetuponit。'
'AsyouareStrong，bemerciful，'quotedMargeryNoble，coaxingly；
'takemyadviceandcallitHarmonyCamp。'
Atthisjuncture，alovelywoman，whosesweetfaceandsmilemadeyouloveheratonce，cameupthehillfromthebrookside。'What，what!
stillquarrelling，children?'sheasked，laughingly。'Letmebepeacemaker。I'vejustaskedtheDoctorforaname，andhesuggestsCampChaparral。Whatdoyousay?'
Bellreleasedonecoat-tail。'Thatisn'twhollybad，'shesaid，critically，whiletheothergirlsclappedtheirhandswithapproval；
foranythingthatAuntTruthsuggestedwassuretobequiteright。
'Waitaminute，goodpeople，'criedJackHoward，flinginghisfishing-tackleunderatreeandsaunteringtowardthesceneofaction。'Supposewehaveareferee，awiseandnoblejudge。CallHopYet，andlethimdecidethisall-importantsubject。'
Hisnamebeingsungandshoutedinvariouskeysbytheassembledcompany，HopYetappearedatthedoorofthebrushkitchen，abroadgrinonhiscountenance，apluckedfowlinhishand。
Geoffreytookthefloor。'Now，HopYet，youknowIgotname，yougotname，everybodygotname。Wewantnamethiscamp:yousabe?MissBell，shesayCampFrolic。Frolicallsameheapgoodtime'hereheexecutedasortofwar-dancewhichwasintendedtoexpresswildjoy。
'MissPauline，shesayCampHa-Ha，biglaugh:sabe?Ha!ha!ha!ha!
ha!ha!'chorusjoinedinbyalltofullyillustratethesubject。
'MissMadge，shesayCampHarmony。Harmonyallsameheapquiettime，plentyeat，plentydrink，plentysleep，nofight，notoomucheetalk。
Mrs。Winship，shesayCampChaparral:yousabe?Chaparral，HopYet。
Nowwhatyousay?'
HopYetseemedtoregardthequestionwithmingledembarrassmentandamusement，butbeingasharpandtalkativeChinamangavehisanswerpromptly:'MesayCampChap-lalheapgoodname；plentychap-lalalllound；mehangumdish-cloth，tow'l，littleboy'sstockin'，onchap-
lal；allsameclo'se-linevellygood。MissBellshefolic，MissPollysheha!ha!alleesameCampChap-lal。'
AndsoCampChaparralitwas；theredwoodboardflauntedtheassertionbeforetheeyesofthepublicwhichwasaratherlimitedone，tobesureinlessthanhalfanhour，andtheartist，afterpaintingthewordsinrusticlettersafootlong，cutbranchesofthestiff，ungraciousbushesandnailedthemtothetreeinconfirmationandillustrationofthefact。Hethencarefullydepositedthepaint-
potinasecretplace，whereitmightbeoutofsightandtouchofacertainsearchingeyeandmischievoushandwellknownandfearedofhim；butbeforethesettingsunhaddroppedbelowthelineofpurplemountaintops，asmallboy，whowillbeknownintheseannalsasDickyWinship，mighthavebeenseensittingontheemptypaint-pot，whilefromadingypooluponthegroundhewasattemptingtopaintacopyoftheaforesaidinscriptionuponthesideofatoopatientgoat，whosawnoharmintheoperation。Hewasalone，andvery，veryhappy。
AndnowImusttellyouthewayinwhichallthisbegan。Youmaynotrealiseit，dearyoungfolks，butthismethodoftellingastoryisverymuchthefashionwithgrown-uppeople，andofcourseIamnottoblame，sinceIdidn'tbeginit。
Theplanisthis:Youmustfirstwriteachaptershowingallyourpeople，men，women，children，dogs，andcats，inacertainplace，doingcertainthings。Thenyoumustgobackayearortwoandexplainhowtheyallhappentobethere。Perhapsyoumayhavetodragyourreaderstwenty-fiveyearsintotheregionsofthepast，andshowthemthefirsttoothofyouroldestcharacter；butthatdoesn'tmatterabit，——thefurtherthebetter。Then，wheneverybodyhasforgottenwhatcametopassinthefirstchapter，youarereadytotakeitupagain，asiftherehadneverbeenanyparenthesis。
However，Ishallnotintroduceyoutothecradles，cribs，ortrundle-
bedsofmymerryyoungcampers，butmerelyaskyoutoretraceyourstepsoneweek，andlookuponthemintheirhomes。
OnoneofthepleasanteststreetsofacertainlittleCaliforniatownstood，andstillstandsforaughtIknow，aprettybrowncottage，withitsverandahscoveredwithpassion-vineandabrilliantrose-
gardeninfront。Itispicturesqueenoughtoattracttheattentionofanypasser-by，andifyouhadchosentopeepthroughthecrevicesinthethickvinesandlookinattheopenwindow，youmighthavethoughtitlovelierwithinthanwithout。
Itwasabrightday，andthegraciousJunesunshinefloodedtheroomwithyellowlight。Threeyounggirls，perhapsfourteenorfifteenyearsold，wereseatedindifferentpartsofthelargeroom，plyingindustriouscrochetneedlesandtattingshuttles。Threepairsofbrighteyesweredancingwithfunandgladness；andanotherpair，thesoftestandclearestofall，lookedoutfromabroadwhitebedinthecorner，——tiredeyes，andoh，sopatient，forthehealth-givingbreezeswaftedinfromtheblueoceanandcarriedovermountaintopsandvine-coveredslopeshadsofarfailedtobringbackElsieHoward'sstrengthandvigour。
Thegraceful，brown-hairedgirlwiththebright，laughter-lovingface，wasBellWinship。Sheofthedancingblueeyes，pinkcheeks，andrecklesslittlesun-bonnetwasPauline，otherwisePollyOliver。
DidyoueverknowaPollywithoutsomeoneofthesethings?Well，myPollyhadthemall，and，besides，asaucyfrecklednose，acrownoffluffy，reddish-yellowhair，andashowerofcoaxinglittlepitfallscalleddimplesroundherprettymouth。Shemadeyouthinkofasunbeam，amorningsongbird，adancingbutterfly，oranimpetuouslittlecrocusjustoutafterthefirstspringshower。Dislikeher?
Youcouldn't。Approveofher?Youwouldn'talways。Loveher?Ofcourse；youcouldn'thelpyourself，——Idefyyou。
Tobesure，ifyoupreferaquietlife，anddonotwanttobeledintoexploitsofallkinds，invariablybeginningwithrisk，attendedwithdanger，andculminatingindespair，youhadbetternotengageinanintimatefriendshipwithMissPaulineOliver，butfixyouraffectionsonthequiet，thoughtful，butnotlesslovablegirlwhositsbythebedsidestrokingElsieHoward'sthinwhitehand。
Nevertheless，IamobligedtostatethatMargeryNobleherself，earnest，demure，andgiventoreflection，wasPolly'swillingslaveandvictim。However，I'veforgottentotellyouthatPollywasasopenandfrankasthedaylight，atoncetorridandconstantinheraffections，brave，self-forgettingaswellasself-willed；andthatthoughshedidhaveatonguejusttheleastbitsaucy，sheuseditvaliantlyinthedefenceofothers。'She'llcomeoutallright，'
saidadearold-fashionedgrandfatherofherswhomshehadleftwaybackinaVermontfarmhouse。'She'sgottobepurgedo'considerabledross，butshe'llcomeoutpuregold，Itellyou。'
Pretty，wise，tenderMargeryNoble，withhersleekbrownbraids，herinnocent，questioningeyes，hersoftvoice，willinghands，andshy，quietmanners!'Shewilleitherendasthematronofanorphanasylumorashead-nurseinahospital。'SoBellWinshipoftenusedtosay；butthenshewaschieflycelebratedfortalkingnonsense，andnobodyeverpaidmuchattentiontoher。Butifyoushouldcraveabreathoffreshair，orwanttobelievethatthespringhascome，justcallBellWinshipin，asshewalkswithherbreezystepdownthestreet。Herveryhairseemsinstinctwithlife，withitsflyingtendrilsofbronzebrightnessandtheriotouslittlecurlsonherbrowandtemples。Then，too，shehasaparticularlyjauntywayofputtingonherjacket，orwearingafloweroraribbon；andasforherringingpealoflaughter，itislikeachimeofsilverbells。
ElsieHoward，theinvalidfriendofthegirls，wasasdeartothemastheyweretoeachother。Shekeptthesecretsofthe'firm'；mournedovertheirgriefsandsmiledovertheirjoys；wasproudoftheirtalentsandtenderlyblindtotheirfaults。Thelittlewickerrocking-chairbythebedsidewasoftenmadeasortofconfessional，atwhichshepresided，thetenderestandmostsympatheticlittlepriestessintheuniverse；andeveryafternoonthepiazza，withitslatticeofgreenvines，servedasamimicthrone-room，whereshewaswonttoholdhighcourt，surroundedbyherdevotedsubjects。HereGeoffreyStrongusedoftentoreadtotheassembledcompanyDavidCopperfield，AliceinWonderland，orsnatchesfromthemagazines，whileJackHowardlazilystretchedhimselfundertheorange-treesandbraidedlariats，afavouriteoccupationwithCaliforniaboys。Aboutfouro'clockPhilipNoblewouldrideupfromhisfather'sfruitranch，somethreemilesoutontheSanMarcosroad，and，hitchinghislittlesorrelmareChispaatthegate，stayanhourbeforegoingtothepost-office。
Thisparticularafternoon，however，wasnotoneofElsie'sbrightones，andtherewasnosignofcourtorinvalidqueenonthepiazza。
ThevoicesofthegirlsfloatedoutfromElsie'sbedroom，whiletheboys，too，seemedtobesomewhereinthevicinity，fortherewasaconstantstirringaboutasoflivelypreparation，togetherwithnoiseofhammeringandsawing。
'Ifyouwereonlygoing，Elsie，ourcupofhappinesswouldbefull，'
sighedBell。
'Notonlywoulditbefull，Bell，butitwouldberunningover，andweshouldpositivelystandintheslop，'saidPolly。'No，youneedn'tfrownatme，miss；thatexpressionisborrowedfromnolessapersonthanSydneySmith。'
'Don'tthinkanymoreaboutme，'smiledElsie。'PerhapsIcancomedowninthecourseofthesummer。Iknowitwillbethehappiesttimeintheworld，butIdon'tenvyyouabit；infact，I'mverygladyou'regoing，becauseyou'llhavesuchalovelybudgetofadventurestotellmewhenyoucomeback。'
'Whenwecomeback，indeed!'exclaimedBell。'Why，weshallwritelonground-robinletterseveryfewdays，andsendthembytheteam。
PapasaysPanchowillhavetogoovertothestagestationatleastonceaweekforlettersandanyprovisionswemayneed。'
'Oh，won'tthatbedelightful，——almostasgoodasbeingtheremyself!
And，Margerydear，youmustmakethemtellmeeveryleastlittlethingthathappens。Youknowtheyaresuchfly-awaysthatthey'llonlywritemewhentheylearntoswim，orshootawildcat，orgetlostinthewoods。Iwanttoknowallthestupidbits:whatyouhavefordinner，howandwhereyousleep，howyourcamplooks，whatyoudofrommorningtillnight，andhowDickybehaves。'
'Icantellyouthatbeforehand，'saidBell，dolefully。'JackwillshoothimbymistakeonThursday；hewillbekickedbythehorsesFriday，andbittenbytarantulasandrattlesnakesSaturday；hewilleatpoisonoakonSunday，getlostinthecanyonMonday，beeatenbyabearTuesday，anddrownedinthepoolWednesday。Theseincidentswillcompletehisfirstweek；andiftheyproducenoeffectonhisnaturallystrongconstitution，hewilltreatustoanotherweek，containingjustasmanymishaps，butnoduplicates。'
Bythetimethisdismalprophecywasendedtheothergirlswereinabreathlessfitoflaughter，thoughallacknowledgeditwaslikelytobefulfilled。
'Iwentoverthecamping-groundlastsummer，'saidMargery。'Youknowitisquitenearpapa'ssheepranch，anditiscertainlythemostbeautifulplaceinCalifornia。Thetentswillbepitchedatthemouthofthecanyon，wherethereisaviewoftheocean，andjustatthebackwillbealovelygroveofwildoaksandsycamore-trees。'
'Oh，won'titbedelicious!'sighedElsie。'IfeelasifIcouldsnifftheairthisminute。Butthere!Iwon'tpretendthatI'mdyingforfreshair，withthebreathoftheseacominginatmysouthwindow，andawhiffofjasmineandhoneysucklefromthepiazza。Thatwouldbenonsense。Areyourtrunkspacked?'
'Trunks!'exclaimedPolly。'Wouldyoubelieveit，ourclothesarepackedingunny-sacks!Westartinourcamping-dresses，withulstersforthesteameranddustersforthelongdrive。Thenweeachhave——
letmeseewhatwehave:ashort，toughriding-skirtwithajersey，abathing-dress，andsomeginghammorning-gownstowearaboutthecampatbreakfast-time。'
'Andflannelgownsforthenight，andtwopairsofboots，andariding-capandonehatapiece，'addedMargery。
'Butoh，Elsie，mydear，youshouldseeDickyinhiscamping-suits，'
laughedBell。'Theyareatriumphofinventiononmamma'spart。
Justimagine!oneisofsomeenamelledcloththatwasleftoverfromthenewcarriagecushions；itisveryshinyandelegant；andtheother，truly，isofsofttannedleather，andjustasprettyasitcanbe。Thenhehashob-nailed，copper-toedboots，andahatthattiesunderhischin。Poorlittleman，hehaslosthiscurls，too，andlooksratherlikeaconvict。'
Mrs。HowardcameinthedoorwhileBellwasspeaking，andlaughedheartilyatthedescriptionofDicky'scuriousoutfit。'Whattimedoyoustart?'sheasked，asshelaidabunchofmignonetteonElsie'stable。
'Atelevento-morrowmorning，'Bellanswered。'Everythingispacked。
Wearetostartinthesteamer，andwhenwecometoouroldlanding，aboutfortymilesdownthecoast，wearetogetoffandtakeathree-
seatedthorough-bracewagon，anddriveovertoLasFloresCanyon。
Panchohashiredafunnylittlepackmule；hesaysweshallneedoneingoingupthemountain，andthattheboyscantakehimwhentheygooutshooting，——tocarrythedeerhome，youknow。'
'IfIcanbringElsiedown，asIhope，wemustcomebyland，'saidMrs。Howard。'Ithoughtwecouldtaketwodaysforthejourney，sleepingattheBurtons'ranchontheway。Thedoctorsaysthatifshecangetstrengthenoughtobeartheride，theopen-airlifewilldohergood，evenifshedoesnothingbutlieinthehammock。'
'Andbewaiteduponbysixwillingslaves，'addedPolly。
'Andbefedoncannedcornedbeefandtomatostew，'laughedBell。
'Notabitofit，'saidMargery。'HopYetisasplendidcook，ifhehasanythingtocook，andwe'llfeedheronbroiledtitbitsofbabyvenison，goat'smilk，wildbees'honey，andcunninglittlemourningdoves，roastedonaspit。'
'Goodgracious，'criedBell，'whatangels'food!onlyIwouldassoondevourapetcanaryasamourningdove。ButtothinkthatI'vebeentryingtodietforaweekinordertogetintimatewithsufferingandprivation!Pollycametostaywithmeonenight，andwesleptonthefloor，withonlyablanketunderus，andnopillow；itwasperfectlyhorrid。Pollydreamedthathergrandfatherateuphergrandmother，andIthatDickystabbedtheJerseycalfwithapickle-fork。'
'Horrors!'ejaculatedMargery；'that'sapleasantprospectforyourfuturebedfellows。Ihopethegopherswon'tmakeyounervous，gnawingandscratchinginthestraw；Igotusedtothemlastsummer。
Butwereallymustgo，darling，'andshestoopedtokissElsiegood-
bye。
'Well，Isupposeyouought，'sheanswered。'Butrememberyouaretostartfromthisgate；AuntTruthhaspromisedmethefunofseeingyououtofsight。'
Thegirlswentoutatasidedoor，andjoinedtheboys，whowerebusilyatworkcleaningtheirgunsonthebroadwesternporch。
'Howareyoucomingon?'questionedPolly。
'Oh，finely，'answeredJack，whoalwaysconstitutedhimselfchiefspokesman，unlessdrivenfromtherostrumbysomeonepossessedofanimblertongue。'Ionlyhopeyourfemininetogsareinhalfasgoodorder。'
'Wetakenobaggagetospeakof，'saidBell，loftily。'Papahascutusdowntotheverylastnotch，andsaysthelawallowsveryfewpoundsonthistrip。'
'Thelessthebetter，'quothGeoff，cheerily；'thenyou'llhavetopolishupyourmentaljewels。'
'Whichyouconsiderimitation，Isuppose，'sniffedPolly。
'Perishthethought!'criedJack。'But，speakingofmentaljewels，youshouldseethearrangementsGeoffhasmadeforpolishinghis。Hehasactuallystuckinsixlargevolumes，anyoneofwhichwouldbearemedyforsleeplessness。Whatareyougoingtostudy，MissPol-y-
on-o-mousOliver?'
'Now，Jack，letusdecideatoncewhetheryouintendtoberespectfulornot。Idon'tproposetoexposemyselftoyournonsensefortwomonthsunlessyoumakemegoodpromises。'
'Why，thatwasn'tdisrespectful。Itismynewestword，anditsimplymeanshavingmanytitles。I'msureyouhavemorethanmostpeople。'
'Verywell，then!I'lloverlooktheirreverencethistime，andannouncethatIshallnottakeanythingwhatevertoread，butsimplyreflectuponwhatIknowalready。'
'Thatmaylastforthefirstweek，'saidBell，slyly，'butwhatwillyoudoafterward?'
'I'llreflectuponwhatyoudon'tknow，'retortedPolly。'Thatwilleasilyoccupymetwomonths。'
Fortunately，attheverymomentthisstingingremarkwasmade，PhilNobledasheduptothefrontgate，flunghisbridleoverthehitching-post，andliftedhishatfromaverywarmbrow。
'Hail，chiefofthecommissarydepartment!'criedGeoffrey，withmocksalute。'Haveyoudespatchedtheteam?'
'Yes；everythingisallright，'saidPhil，breathlessly，deliveringhimselfofhisinformationinspasmodicburstsofwords。'Suchalotofworkitwas!here'sthelist。Panchowilldumpthemonthegroundandletussettlethemwhenwegetthere。Suchaload!Youshouldhaveseenit!HardlyroomforhimtositupinfrontwiththeChinaman。Justhearthis，'andhedrewalargedocumentfromwhatPollycalled'aback-stairspocket。'
'Fortycanscornedbeef，fourguns，threeDutchcheeses，pickles，fishing-tackle，flour，bacon，threebushelsonions，crateofdishes，Jack'sbanjo，potatoes，ShortHistoryoftheEnglishPeople，cookingutensils，threehairpillows，boxofginger-snaps，fourhammocks，coffee，cartridges，sugar，Macaulay'sEssays，Pond'sextract，sixteenhams，Bell'sguitar，pop-corn，molasses，salt，St。Jacob'sOil，ConquestofMexico，sackofalmonds，flea-powder，andsmokedherring。
Whew!Ipackedthemallmyself。'
'Inpreciselythatorder?'questionedPolly。
'Inpreciselythatorder，MissOliver，'returnedPhil，urbanely。
'AnyonewhofeelsthatsaidpackingmightbeimproveduponhasonlytomountthefleetArabianyonder'theanimalalludedtoseizedthismomenttostandonthreelegs，hanghishead，andlookdejected，'and，givinghimtherein，speedo'erthetracklessplainwhichleadstoSanMiguel，o'ertaketheteam，andre-packthecontentsaccordingtoherownsatisfaction。'
'Nobutter，noreggs，norfreshvegetables?'askedMargery。'Weshallstarve!'
'Notatall，'quothJack。'Pollywillgracefullydisposeahorse-
blanketabouthershoulders，toshieldherfromthechilldewsoftheearlymorn，mountthepackmuleexactlyatcock-croweveryday，andridetoaneighbouringranchwheretherearetonsoftheaforesaidarticlesawaitingourconsumption。'
'Canyouseemedoingit，girls?Doesitseementirelynatural?'
askedPolly，withgreatgravity。
'Nowhearmyreportaschairmanofthecommitteeofarrangements，'
saidGeoffreyStrong，seatinghimselfwithdignityonabarrelofnails。'Thetents，ropes，tool-boxes，bed-sacks，blankets，furniture，etc。，allwentdownonMonday'ssteamer，andIhaveatelegramfromLarry'sLandingsayingthattheyarrivedingoodorder，andthataMexicangentlemanwhoownsamammothwood-cartwilltakethemupto-morrowwhenwegoourselves。TheprocessionwillmoveatoneP。M。，windandweatherpermitting，inthefollowingorder:-
'1。ChiefNobleonhisgallantbroncho。
'2。CommanderStrongonhisditto，ditto。
'3。Mainconveyanceortriumphalchariot，drivenbyAide-de-CampJohnHoward，andcarryingDr。andMrs。Winship，ourmostworshipfulandbenignanthostandhostess；MasterDickWinship，theheir-
apparent；threeotheryoungpersonsnotworthmentioning；andfourcansofbestleaflard，whichIomittedtoputwiththeotherprovisions。
'4。Wood-cartcontainingbaggage，drivenbySenorDonManuelFelipeHilarioNoriegafromDeadWoodGulch。
'5。Onesmalltanterrier。'
'Oh，Geoff，Geoff，praydostop!it'stoomuch!'criedthegirlsinafitoflaughter。
'Hurrah!'shoutedJack，tossinghishatintoatalleucalyptus-treeinhisexcitement，'Tentlifeforever!'
'Good-bye，yepompsandvanities!'chantedBell，kissingherhandinimaginaryfarewell。'Verilythenoisycityshallknowusnomore，forwedepartforthegreenforests。'
'AndthecitywillnotbeasnoisyWHENyoudepart，'murmuredJack，withanimpudencethatluckilypassedunnoticed。
'IfElsiecouldonlycometoo!'sighedPolly。
WednesdaymorningdawnedasbrightandbeautifulasallmorningsarewonttodawninSouthernCalifornia。Alightmisthungovertheoldadobemissionchurch，throughwhich，withitssnow-whitetowersandcold，clear-cutlines，itroselikeafrozenfairycastle。Bellopenedhersleepyeyeswiththeveryearliestbirds，andrunningtothelittleovalwindow，framedwithwhite-rosevines，lookedoutatthenewdayjustcreepingupintotheworld。
'Ohdearandbeautifulhomeofmine，howcharming，howcharmingyouare!IwonderifyouarenotreallyParadise!'shesaid，dreamily；
andthemarvelisthattherisingsundidnotstopamomentinsheersurpriseatthesightofthisradiantmorningvision；fortheovalwindowopeningtotheeastwasaprettyframe，withitsoutlinemarkedbythedewyrose-vinecoveredwithhundredsofpure，half-
openedbudsandswayingtendrils，andshestoodthereinit，afairimageofthemorninginherinnocentwhitegown。Herluminouseyesstillmirroredtheshadowyvisionsofdreamland，mingledwithdancinglightsofhopeandjoyfulanticipation；whileonherfreshcheeks，whichhadnotyetlosttheroundnessofchildhood，thereglowed，asintheeasternskies，thefaintpinkblushofthemorning。
Thetownisyetasleep，andintruthitisneverapttobefairlywideawake。Theairissoftandbalmy；thelovelyPacific，aquivering，sparklingsheetofblueandgreyandgreenfleckedwithwhitefoam，stretchesfaroutuntilitislostintherosysky；andthemountains，allpurpleandpinkandfaintcrimsonandgrey，standlikesentinelsalongtheshore。Thescentoftheroses，violets，andmignonettemingledwiththecloyingfragranceofthedaturaisheavyinthestillair。Thebending，willowypepper-treesshowmyriadbunchesofyellowblossoms，crimsonseed-berries，andfreshgreenleaves，whosesurface，notrain-washedformonths，isasfullofcolourasever。Thepalm-treesrisewithoutabranch，tall，slender，andgraceful，fromthewarmlygenerousearth，andspreadatlast，asiftiredoftheirstraightness，intobeautifulcrownsoffans，whichswaytowardeachotherwitheverybreathofair。Innumerablebutterfliesandhumming-birds，inthehot，dazzlingsunshineofnoonday，willbehoveringoverthebedsofsweetpurpleheliotropeandfindingtheirwayintotheheartsofthepassion-flowers，butasyetnotthefaintestwhirrofwingscanbeheard。Lookingeastwardorwestward，youseeeitherbrownfoot-hills，or，alittlelateron，emeraldslopeswhosevineshangheavywiththehalf-ripenedgrapes。
Andhark!Asilverynotestrikesonthedewystillness。Itisthemissionbellringingformorningmass；andifyoulookyonderyoumayseetheFranciscanfriarsgoingtoprayers，withtheirloosegreygowns，theirgirdleofrope，theirsandaledfeet，andtheirjinglingrosaries；andperhapsaSpanishsenorita，withhertrailingdress，andblackshawllooselythrownoverherhead，fromoutthefoldsofwhichhertwodarkeyesburnlikegleamingfires。AsolitaryMexicangallopsby，withgaylydecoratedsaddleandheavilyladensaddle-bagshangingfromit；perhapsheistakinghomeprovisionstohiswifeanddark-eyedbabieswholiveupinalittledimpleofthemountainside，almosthiddenfromsightbytheolive-trees。Andthenapatient，hardylittlemustanglopesalongthestreet，bearingonhisbackthreelaughingboys，onebehindtheother，onamorningrideintotownfromthemesa。
Themisthadfloatedawayfromtheoldmissionnow，thesunhasclimbedalittlehigher，andBellhascomeawayfromthewindowinagentlemood。
'Oh，Polly，Idon'tseehowanybodycanbewickedinsuchabeautiful，beautifulworld。'
'Humph!'saidPolly，dippinghercurlyheaddeepintothewater-bowl，andcominguplookinglikealittledrownedkitten。'Whenyouwanttobehateful，youdon'tstoptothinkwhetheryou'relookingatacactusorarosebush，doyou?'
'Verytrue，'sighedBell，quitesilencedbythispracticalillustration。'NowI'lltrytheeffectofthelandscapeonmytemperbydressingDicky，whilehedancesabouttheroomandplayswithhistanterrier。'
ButithappenedthatDickywasonhisverybestbehaviour，andstoodasstillasasignpostwhilebeingdressed。Itistrueheateacoupleofmatchesandtumbleddown-stairstwicebeforebreakfast，sothatafterthathurriedmealBelltiedhimtooneoftheverandahposts，thathemightnotcommitanyactviciousenoughtokeepthemathome。Ashehadahugepocketfullofapricotshewasinperfectgood-humour，nottakinghisconfinementatalltoheart，inasmuchasitcommandedafullviewofthesceneofaction。Hisamiabilitywasfurtherincreased，moreover，bythepossessionofabrightnewpoliceman'swhistle，whichwascarefullytiedtohisbutton-holebyaneatlittlesilkcord，andwhichhisfondparentsintendedthatheshouldblowifhechancedtofallintodangerduringhisramblesaboutthecamp。Wemightaswellstatehere，however，thatthisprecautionprovedfruitless，forheblewitatalltimesandseasons；
andeverybodybecamesohardenedtoitsmelodiousshriekthattheypaidnoattentiontoitwhatever，——history，orfable，thusagainrepeatingitself。
Mr。andMrs。NoblehaddrivenMargeryandPhilintotownfromthefruitranch，andwerewaitingtoseethepartyoff。
Mrs。OliverwastoliveintheWinshiphouseduringtheabsenceofthefamily，andwasaidingthemtodothosenumberlesslittlethingsthatarealwaysfoundundoneatthelastmoment。Shehadgivenherimpetuousdaughteradozenfondembraces，smotheringineachagentlewarning，andstoodnowwithMrs。Winshipatthegate，watchingthethreegirls，whohadgoneontobidElsiegood-bye。
'IhopePaulinewon'tgiveyouanytrouble，'shesaid。'Sheissoapttobetooimpulsiveandthoughtless。'
'Ishallenjoyher，'saidsweetAuntTruth，withthatbright，cordialsmileofhersthatwaslikeablessing。'Shehasaverylovingheart，andiseasilyled。Howprettythegirlslook，andhowdifferenttheyare!Pollyislikeathistledownorafirefly，MargerylikeoneofourhomeMayflowers，andIcan'thelpthinkingmyBelllikeasunbeam。'
Thegirlsdidlookverypretty；fortheirmothershadfashionedtheircamping-dresseswithmuchcareandtaste，takinggreatpainstomakethempicturesqueandappropriatetotheirsummerlife'underthegreenwoodtree。'
OveraplainfullskirtofheavycrimsonsergeBellworeahuntingjacketanddraperyofdarkleaf-green，likeabitofforestagainstasunset。Herhair，whichfellinawavingmassofburnishedbrightnesstoherwaist，wascaughtbyasilverarrow，andcrownedbyawidesofthatofcrimsonfeltencircledwithabird'sbreast。
Margeryworeasoftgreyflannel，thecolourofadove'sthroat，adornedwithrowsuponrowsofsilverbraidandsparklingsilverbuttons；whileherbiggreyhathadnothingbutasilvercordandtasseltiedrounditinSpanishfashion。
Pollywasallinsailorblue，withadistractinglynattylittledouble-breastedcoatandgreatwhiterollingcollar。Herhatswunginherhand，asusual，showingherboyishheadofsunnyauburncurls，andshecarriedonaneatchatelaineasilvercupandlittleclasp-
knife，aswasthecustomintheparty。