Page 133 - A Little Bush Maid

Norah put her arms round his neck--a very rare caress.

"Good night," she said. "T--T do love you, Jimmy!"

Jim hugged her.

"Same here, old chap," he said.

There was such scurrying in the early morning. Daylight revealed many

things that had been overlooked in the packing overnight, and they had to
be crammed in, somehow. Other things were remembered which had not
been packed, and which must be found, and diligent hunt had to be made

for them.

Norah was everybody’s mate, running on several errands at once, finding
Jim’s school cap near Harry’s overcoat while she was looking for Wally’s
cherished snake-skin. Her strong brown hands pulled tight the straps of

bulging bags on which their perspiring owners knelt, puffing. After the said
bags were closed and carried out to the buggy, she found the three

toothbrushes, and crammed each, twisted in newspaper, into its owner’s
pocket. She had no time to think she was dull.

Mrs. Brown, who had been up since dawn, had packed a huge hamper, and
superintended its placing in the buggy. Tt was addressed to "Master James,

Master Harry, and Master Wallie," and later Jim reported that its contents
were such as to make the chaps at school speechless-- a compliment which
filled Mrs. Brown with dismay, and a wish that she had put in less pastry

and perhaps a little castor oil. At present she felt mildly safe about it and
watched it loaded with a sigh of relief.

"Boom-m-m!" went the big gong, and the boys rushed to the dining-room,
where Norah was ready to pour out tea.

"You have some, Norah," said Harry, retaining his position close to the

teapot, whence Wally had vainly striven to dislodge him.