Even Sophie brightened up.

Charlotte was ready to throw her energies into any active scheme, hospital or picnic, charity-school or kettle-drum.
"To-morrow will be just the sort of day for it," said Richard, "cool and fine.

And half the pleasure of a picnic is not having time to get tired of it beforehand." "That's very true," said Charlotte; "but I don't see how we're going to get everybody notified and everything in order for nine o'clock to-morrow morning." "Nothing easier," said Kilian; "we'll go, directly after tea, to the De Witts and Prentices, and send Thomas with a note to the Lowders.

Sophie has done her part in shorter time than that, very often; and I don't believe we should be starved, if she only gave half an hour's notice to the cook." What is heavier than pleasure-seeking in which one has no pleasure?
I shall never forget the misery of those plans and that bustle.

I dared not absent myself, and I could scarcely carry out my part for very heavy-heartedness.