"Pity we haven't more of the simple childlike pleasures," added Mrs. Baker, who had overheard the remark.
"Now then, girls--ready?" called the Guide, ignoring the criticism from Eleanor.
"Yes--all ready!" called most of the girls.
The umbrella was given a swift twirl and it spun around while the girls sang the rollicking verse, but Zan forgot to call "Change," so they concluded the song and the umbrella still whirled, the paper packages flying out to the extreme end of the strings.
Everyone jeered at Zan for forgetting to call, and she promised to do better next time. "I only did it that time to give you girls practise," said she, laughingly.
The chorus of denials might have deafened everyone had not the Guide shouted: "Now, once again, girls! If Zan makes a second mistake she pays two forfeits!"
"How! How!" followed this agreeable statement, and the umbrella whirled again.
"Change!" shouted Zan at the word, and some of the girls did change the step correctly while others were in doubt.
"Here--a forfeit from each one of you!" demanded Zan, and the punishment made the game more exciting.
"The next time the same one mistakes she pays double!" added Zan, placing the forfeits in a basket. But the girls were beginning to learn how it was played, and the first game ended with everyone laughing or jesting. Miss Miller had Mrs. Baker take a paper from a bag and read out a name.
Everyone looked eagerly at the laden stick opposite her, and Jane called: "Here it is, in front of me."
"Jane removes it and runs about the circle with Elena after her," added Miss Miller.
Twice around the ring flew Jane, and Elena, fleet-footed, after her, until in the third round the pursuer caught up and held her captive.
Great interest was shown as Elena opened the package and showed a small box of French pastels.
"Oh!" sighed she in ecstasy, "I've wanted one of these ever since I was born!"
Everyone laughed and Zan added: "I bet you daubed and designed through many incarnations before this present one."
"Come ahead, girls! I want to see if Miss Miller gave me a new riding-habit--I want one badly!" called Jane.
So with laughing and merriment, the second whirl began.
It happened to be Edith Remington's name that was chosen, and the package stopped directly opposite the child, so with trembling fingers she untied the string and found a box of water-colours and all the accessories to work with.