However, when it proved that the amusement was to be a ride in the park, it sounded rather attractive.

CHAPTER XII

AT GRANDMA MAYNARD’S

The ride in the park, though conducted under rather formal conditions, proved very enjoyable to the four young Maynards.

Grandpa Maynard’s equipage was a Victoria with a span of fine horses.  On the high front seat sat the coachman and footman in livery, who looked sufficiently dignified and responsible to take care of a merry flock of children.

But, impressed by their surroundings, the children were not very merry, and Marjorie sat decorously on the back seat with Rosy Posy beside her, while King and Kitty sat facing them.

It was a lovely afternoon, and the park drives were crowded with vehicles of all sorts.  Marjorie secretly thought carriage driving rather tame after motoring, but there was so much to look at that it was really desirable to go rather slowly.

As they passed the lake, Parker, the footman, turned around, and asked them if they would like to get out and see the swans.

They welcomed this opportunity, and the footman gravely assisted them from the carriage.  He selected a bench for them, and the four sat down upon it without a word.

At last the funny side of the situation struck King, and as he looked at his three demure sisters, he couldn’t stand it another minute.  “I’ll race you down to that big tree,” he whispered to Marjorie, and like a flash the two were off, with their; heels flying out behind them.

Parker was scandalized at this performance, but he said nothing, and only looked at Kitty and Rosamond, still sitting demurely on the bench.

“They’ll come back in a minute,” said Kitty, and the footman answered respectfully, “Yes, Miss.”

“Did you ever see anything like it?” said King to Marjorie, as they reached the big tree almost at the same time.

“It’s awful funny,” Midget returned, “but just for a day or two, I don’t mind it.  It’s such a new experience that it’s rather fun.  Only it’s such a temptation to shock Grandpa and Grandma Maynard.  I feel like doing something crazy just to see what they would do.  But we promised not to get into any mischief.  Shall we go back now?”

“Might as well; if we stay much longer it will be mischief.  I’ll race you back to the carriage.”

Back they flew as fast as they had come, and when they reached the others, their cheeks were glowing and their eyes sparkling with the exercise.

The impassive footman made no comments, and in fact, he said nothing at all, but stood like a statue with the carriage robe over his arm.

So Marjorie assumed command, and said quietly, “We will go back now, Parker,” and the man said, “Yes, ma’am,” and touched his hat, quite as if she had been Grandma Maynard herself.

But the very fact of being in a position of responsibility made Marjorie more audacious, and as the man put them into the carriage, she said, “On the way home, we will stop somewhere for soda water.”