Any girl who is a good walker may join the party." It certainly sounded a fascinating program, and after due consideration at home eight girls put their names down for the excursion--Ingred, Verity, Nora, Bess, Linda, Francie, Kitty, and Belle.

They felt it would be quite a new experience to know Miss Strong out of school hours; the light in her eyes when she announced the scheme gave promise of hitherto hidden capacities for fun.

It circulated round the form that she might prove quite a jolly companion.

Those girls who could not join the tour were a trifle wistful and inclined towards envy.

They took it out of the pilgrims in gloomy prognostications concerning the weather.
"It will probably rain all the time and you'll tramp along like a row of drowned rats," suggested Beatrice.
"It won't do anything of the sort.