“Yes, I am, and I ought to be shot for it, so there!” said Grandfather, who, when he saw how eager she was, regretted his hasty teasing.  “Surely you can go—­we’ll start in two minutes.”

It wasn’t more than a second after her father and mother got off the great train before Mary Jane was held tight in her mother’s arms and oh, how good it did feel to be there!  “I didn’t know how much I did want you,” cried Mary Jane, “till you’re here!”

Mother replied with a satisfying whisper and another pair of kisses, one on each rosy cheek, and then Father had to have his hug and they started gayly home.

After breakfast Mary Jane showed them all the creatures she had learned to love—­from the lamb in the pasture lot to the ducks that now lived down by the creek.  Then they went back into the house and Mary Jane gave her mother the glass of jam made all by herself (and you can just guess how proud and happy Mrs. Merrill was over such a gift!) and Alice showed her cake.

“Look’s good enough to eat right now,” said Mr. Merrill, smacking his lips; “let’s have a piece.”

“I should say not!” exclaimed Alice; “that’s to take to the picnic!”

So then they told all about the plan for the picnic, and Father and Mother were pleased just as everybody had known they would be.  And every one set to work at the pleasant preparations.

Mrs. Merrill, Grandmother and Alice stayed in the kitchen, while Mr. Merrill joined Mary Jane and Grandfather in making preparations for the secret.  They didn’t let any one see a thing of what they were doing and they carefully covered up the big basket that they stowed away in the back of the car.

At three o’clock they were off and with such good company and over fine roads the twenty-five mile ride to Flatrock seemed all too short.

“Now you folks who think you have the eats,” said Grandfather as they all got out of the car, “can just fool around any way you like.  Mary Jane and I are going to build a fire for the coffee her father and I will be sure to want.”

“That’s no surprise,” laughed Alice; “Grandmother has the coffee in her basket and she told me I could help you make the fire!”

“Isn’t that amazing!” teased Grandfather, and Alice knew from the way he talked that she hadn’t guessed the secret after all.

Flatrock was a rough, wooded spot, most unusual for that region; and right through the middle of the woods a pretty little creek ran tumbling over some broad, flat rocks.  It was by the side of one of these rocks, close by the little stream, that Grandfather started his fire.  He pulled two logs together till they formed a big V; then he and Mr. Merrill and the girls gathered wood, twigs and branches and leaves, till they had a big pile between the logs.  They set fire to these and soon they had a heap of glowing coals.

“Now,” said Grandfather, “I think it’s about time for our surprise.  Shall we get it, Mary Jane?”