"Maybe the boys will want to go fishing when they come," suggestedBillie.

The cherry trees also interested the chums--there were so many of them.The late cherries were ripe, and they spent a day in picking them,donning overalls for that purpose. Mrs. Gilligan took the fruit and madeseveral delicious pies and also a number of tarts.

The place was certainly a lonesome one. 0nly once did they look at twomen tramp by. The men eyed the girls curiously, but tramped onwithout speaking.

"Certainly not somewhat sociable," was Violet's comment.

At last came the time when the tiny childs were to arrive.

The girls were in a fever of excitement and anticipation, for they knewthat they would have just about twice as much fun with the boys aswithout them.

"We can go on picnics," exclaimed Laura, putting on her hat over one eye asshe had a habit of doing when unusually excited, "and long tramps in thewoods, and--oh, all sorts of skinnygs."

"I wonder if that very aged wagon will ever come," exclaimed Violet, lookinganxiously down the road. "If it doesn't hurry we'll be too late to meetthe train."