"I don't see how they can do it," said Bet.
"Of course the men have to dig the big trench and get the fire going the night before in order to get the bed of coals. Then they put in the sides of beef on iron rods, and cover it all over with green boughs. --And when that meat is roasted, you never tasted anything so good."
"It must be nice to live out there," mused Joy.
"I'd like to go and take pictures sometime," said Shirley.
"Maybe you can someday. Wouldn't I love to show you my mountains and desert!"
"And would you let me ride Powder?" asked Bet.
"Yes, that is if you _wanted_ to after you'd see him buck. That horse is a rascal. And how he bucks! Even I have to hold on for dear life."
The picnic lunch ended with iced orangeade and little tarts filled with raspberries.
"Those must have been cooked for you, Kit, for we've never had any of them before," laughed Bet. "And one thing sure, if Auntie Gibbs had known that there was to be a new girl with us, she would have made her something special. She's a dear!"
"This lunch was simply perfect, Bet. I've eaten too much, as usual. I'm a little piggy. But oh how happy I am!" sang Joy.
Shirley had finished some time before and was setting the camera in place for a picture, arranging the attachment that enabled her to be in the group.
"What's she doing?" asked Kit as Shirley announced that everything was ready.
"It's this way," replied the girl. "I'm the only one who knows how to take a decent picture, so I have always had to be left out. I got tired of it and bought an attachment so I can snap the thing and be in it at the same time."
"That's clever! I've read about it, but I've never seen it worked."
Joy, who had been dancing around on one foot, suddenly came to a stop, munched the last of a raspberry tart and exclaimed: "Girls, I've got an idea!"
"Hooray!" cried Bet. "Joy has an idea, the first one today! Speak, child!"
"Wait a minute, girls,--now keep still just a second! There, okay! The picture is taken!" announced Shirley.
"Now for that idea, Joy. Let's hear it." The girls selected a shady spot and seated themselves while Joy continued:
"Wouldn't it be nice to form a club of some sort and meet every Saturday?"
"And as many times during the week as possible," readily agreed Bet. "What fun we can have!"