why Laurie ’primmed up his mouth’ when speaking of Kate, for that young lady had a standoff-don’t-touch-me air, which contrasted strongly with the free and easy demeanor of the other girls.  Beth took an observation of the new boys and decided that the lame one was not ‘dreadful’, but gentle and feeble, and she would be kind to him on that account.  Amy found Grace a well-mannered, merry, little person, and after staring dumbly at one another for a few minutes, they suddenly became very good friends.

Tents, lunch, and croquet utensils having been sent on beforehand, the party was soon embarked, and the two boats pushed off together, leaving Mr. Laurence waving his hat on the shore.  Laurie and Jo rowed one boat, Mr. Brooke and Ned the other, while Fred Vaughn, the riotous twin, did his best to upset both by paddling about in a wherry like a disturbed water bug.  Jo’s funny hat deserved a vote of thanks, for it was of general utility.  It broke the ice in the beginning by producing a laugh, it created quite a refreshing breeze, flapping to and fro as she rowed, and would make an excellent umbrella for the whole party, if a shower came up, she said.  Miss Kate decided that she was ‘odd’, but rather clever, and smiled upon her from afar.

Meg, in the other boat, was delightfully situated, face to face with the rowers, who both admired the prospect and feathered their oars with uncommon ‘skill and dexterity’.  Mr. Brooke was a grave, silent young man, with handsome brown eyes and a pleasant voice.  Meg liked his quiet manners and considered him a walking encyclopedia of useful knowledge.  He never talked to her much, but he looked at her a good deal, and she felt sure that he did not regard her with aversion.  Ned, being in college, of course put on all the airs which freshmen think it their bounden duty to assume.  He was not very wise, but very good-natured, and altogether an excellent person to carry on a picnic.  Sallie Gardiner was absorbed in keeping her white pique dress clean and chattering with the ubiquitous Fred, who kept Beth in constant terror by his pranks.

It was not far to Longmeadow, but the tent was pitched and the wickets down by the time they arrived.  A pleasant green field, with three wide-spreading oaks in the middle and a smooth strip of turf for croquet.

“Welcome to Camp Laurence!” said the young host, as they landed with exclamations of delight.

“Brooke is commander in chief, I am commissary general, the other fellows are staff officers, and you, ladies, are company.  The tent is for your especial benefit and that oak is your drawing room, this is the messroom and the third is the camp kitchen.  Now, let’s have a game before it gets hot, and then we’ll see about dinner.”