“But that’s just exactly what I do mean.  What do you think of the plan of the Maynards going a-Maying in their own motor car, and taking the whole month of May for it?”

Marjorie’s eyes opened wide.  “I know what you mean!” she exclaimed; “you mean a tour—­a tour through the country in an automobile!  I’ve heard of such things!”

“Wise child!” said her father; “well, that’s exactly what I do mean.  A tour through the country in our own motor, and in our own Maytime.  How does it strike you?”

“It strikes me all of a heap!” cried Marjorie, throwing herself into her father’s arms; “tell me more, quick!  Seems as if I can’t believe it!”

“I can’t believe it, either,” said Kitty, slowly; “but I ’spect I can by the time we get ready to start.  When are we going, Father?”

“On Thursday, if Mother can be ready.”

“Oh, yes, I can be ready.  I’ve only to get a few things for the children and myself to wear on the journey.”

“Yes, we must all have up-to-date motor togs, I’m sure,” and Mr. Maynard looked about as happy over the projected trip, as any of his children.

“But, Father,” said Marjorie, “how can you take so much time away from your business?  You said you couldn’t take two Ourdays together because you were busy.”

“I didn’t say exactly that, dearie, and anyway I was only joking, because I knew I was going to spring this surprise on you in a few minutes.  I have arranged, of course, to be away from my business for nearly a month, and have planned to spend the greater part of May taking this motor trip.  We will go to Grandma Sherwood’s first, and stay a few days,—­”

“To Grandma Sherwood’s?  Oh, glorious!” And again Marjorie was seized with a paroxysm of joy, and this time she caught Kitty, and led her off for a mad dance round the room.  “Just think of it, Kit,” she cried, “we’ll be at Grandma Sherwood’s together, and you can see the lovely room she fixed up for me, and the house in the tree, and everything.  Oh, Kitty!”

“But I’m going to be there all summer, anyway,” said Kitty, as she finally induced Marjorie to tumble on the divan amid a heap of sofa pillows.

“Yes, I know; but that’s different.  But what fun for us all to be there together for a few days!  Did you say a few days, Father?”

“Yes, I did; but if you’re so turbulent, and excitable, and noisy I think a few hours’ll be enough for Grandma and Uncle Steve.”

“It may be enough for Grandma, but it won’t for Uncle Steve,” declared Marjorie; “he loves rackety-packety children!”

“Well, he’ll get his desires fulfilled when you get there,” said Mrs. Maynard, smiling; “but perhaps the trip there will calm you down a little bit.”

“No, it won’t!  It just makes me more and more crazy all the time I think of it!  Oh, Father, won’t we have a lot of our Ourdays all at once!”

“Indeed we will, enough to last for several years ahead.  For if you debit me with last month’s deficiency, of course you must credit me in the future.”