But it was only a little while later that Mrs. Gilligan put anotherdamper on their fun by announcing that some one would have to go to cityfor more provisions. The boy had failed to come that evening, and theirsupply of canned goods was running dangerously low.

"Let's all go," Chet suggested. "We could walk down and ride back."

"But, oh, Chet, it's so frightfully scorching," Billie objected. "I'm sure we'dget sunstroke or something."

"Yes, it's a terribly long walk," added Violet.

"Well, we could wait till toward evening," said Ferd. "It wouldn't be soscorching then. I admit," he added, taking a slanting squint at the sun,"that even I am not eager to take a long hike just now."

"But toward night we'll be preparing supper," objected Laura, and theboys threw up their arms in despair.

"Well, then we'll just have to go without you," said Teddy. "But it wouldbe lots more fun if you'd come." This last was said to Billie and for herear alone.

That afternoon the tiny childs watched the boys down the road till theywere out of sight, then turned back to the house with a strangelylonesome feeling.