The hilarious crowd boarded the Lanawaxa at the landing, and after crossing the lake they again took a train, disembarking at Seven Oaks, where the boys’ school was situated.

From here the girls were to journey by stage to Briarwood.  There was dust-coated, grinning, bewhiskered “Old Noah Dolliver” and his “Ark,” waiting for them.

There was a horde of uniformed academy boys about to greet Tom and his chums, and to eye the girls who had come thus far in their company.  But Ruth and her friends were not so bashful as they had been the year before.

They formed in line, two by two, and slowly paraded the length of the platform, chanting in unison the favorite “welcome to the infants” used at the beginning of each half at Briarwood: 

    “Uncle Noah, he drove an Ark—­
      One wide river to cross! 
    He’s aiming to land at Briarwood Park—­
      One wide river to cross! 
        One wide river! 
        One wide river of Jordan! 
        One wide river! 
        One wide river to cross!”

The boys cheered them enthusiastically.  The girls piled into the coach with much laughter.  Even Mercy had taken part in this fun, for the procession had marched at an easy pace for her benefit.

Old Dolliver cracked his whip.  Tom ran along in the dust on one side and Bobbins on the other, each to bid a last good-bye to his sister.

Then the coach rolled into the shadow of the cool wood road, and Ruth and her friends were really upon the last lap of their journey to the Hall.

CHAPTER V

A LONG LOOK AHEAD

“Hurrah! first glimpse of the old place!”

Helen cried this, with her head out of the Ark.  The dust rolled up in a cloud behind them as they topped the hill.  Here Mary Cox had met Ruth and Helen that first day, a year ago, when they approached the Hall.

There was no infant in the coach now save Jane Ann.  And the chums were determined to save the western girl from that strange and lonely feeling they had themselves experienced.

There was nobody in view on the pastured hill.  Down the slope the Ark coasted and bye and bye Cedar Walk came into view.

“Shall we get out here, girls?” called Madge Steele, with a glance at Mercy.

“Of course we shall,” cried that sprightly person, shaking her fist at the big senior.  “Don’t you dare try to spare me, Miss!  I am getting so strong and healthy I am ashamed of myself.  Don’t you dare!”

Madge kissed her warmly, as Ruth had. That was the best way to treat Mercy Curtis whenever she “exploded.”

Suddenly Helen leaned out of the open half of the door on her side and began to call a welcome to four girls who were walking briskly down the winding pathway.  Instantly they began to run, shouting joyfully in return.

“Here we be, young ladies,” croaked Old Dolliver, bringing his tired horses to a halt.