"Go on, then," said Marjorie, utterly exasperated by such foolishness, as she considered it.
"What ails her?" said Gladys, as Marjorie returned.
"Why, I suppose it's because you're here. She never acted that way before. You see, she's a spoiled child, and she always wants everything her own way. It's awfully funny, Gladys, but I thought maybe you wouldn't like her and here it's the other way about!"
"Oh, I like her, or at least I would if she'd let me. I think she's the prettiest girl I ever saw. Don't you?"
"Yes, I do. And she's awfully nice, too, if she didn't have this tantrum about you."
"Oh, well, she'll get over it," returned Gladys; "I shan't be here long, anyway."
The day after Gladys' arrival was the first Saturday in March.
First Saturdays were usually "Ourdays," when Mr. Maynard took a whole day from his business and devoted it to the entertainment of his children.
It was King's turn to choose how the day should be spent, but, as a party in honor of Gladys had been arranged for the afternoon, there was only the morning to choose for.
They were all discussing the matter the night before, and King kindly offered to give his turn to one of the girls, that they might choose something to please Gladys.
"No, indeed," said Midget. "We like boys' fun as well as girls' fun; so you choose ahead, King."
"All right, then. If you girls agree, I'd like to build a snow fort. This is a jolly deep snow, the best we've had this winter, and likely the last we'll have. Father's a jim dandy at snow games, and we could have an out-of-door frolic in the morning, and then Glad's party in the house in the afternoon."
"Goody! I say yes to that," cried Midget.
"I too," said Gladys. "We don't have any snow in California, and I don't know when I'll see any again."
"I'm satisfied," said Kitty, "can I ask Dorothy over?"
"Yes," said Mr. Maynard; "ask anybody you choose."
So next morning, soon after breakfast, the children put on all the warmest wraps they could find, and in tam o'shanter caps, tippets, mittens and leggings, started out for their Ourday fun.
The snow was more than a foot deep all over the great lawn, and Mr. Maynard selected a fine place for a fort. He taught the boys,--for King had asked Flip to come over,--how to cut and pack great blocks of solid snow, and the girls he showed how to make balls and cones for decoration.