I 'll see to the pie and cake , and the other girls can have anything else they like , '' answered Merry , glad and proud that she could provide the party with her own inviting handiwork . `` I 'll take my zither , so we can have music as we sail , and Grif will bring his violin , and Ralph can imitate a banjo so that you 'd be sure he had one . I do hope it will be fine , it is so splendid to go round like other folks and enjoy myself , '' cried Jill , with a little bounce of satisfaction at the prospect of a row and ramble . `` Come along , then , and make sure of the girls , '' said Merry , catching up her roll of work , for the harvesting was done . Molly put her sack on as the easiest way of carrying it , and , extricating Boo , they went off , accompanied by the boys , `` to make sure of the fellows '' also , leaving Jill to sit among the apples , singing and sorting like a thrifty little housewife . Next day eleven young people met at the appointed place , basket in hand . Ralph could not come till later , for he was working now as he never worked before . They were a merry flock , for the mellow autumn day was even brighter and clearer than yesterday , and the river looked its loveliest , winding away under the sombre hemlocks , or through the fairyland the gay woods made on either side . Two large boats and two small ones held them all , and away they went , first up through the three bridges and round the bend , then , turning , they floated down to the green island , where a grove of oaks rustled their sere leaves and the squirrels were still gathering acorns . Here they often met to keep their summer revels , and here they now spread their feast on the flat rock which needed no cloth beside its own gray lichens . The girls trimmed each dish with bright leaves , and made the supper look like a banquet for the elves , while the boys built a fire in the nook where ashes and blackened stones told of many a rustic meal . The big tin coffee-pot was not so romantic , but more successful than a kettle slung on three sticks , gypsy fashion ; so they did not risk a downfall , but set the water boiling , and soon filled the air with the agreeable perfume associated in their minds with picnics , as most of them never tasted the fascinating stuff at any other time , being the worst children can drink . Frank was cook , Gus helped cut bread and cake , Jack and Grif brought wood , while Bob Walker took Joe 's place and made himself generally useful , as the other gentleman never did , and so was quite out of favor lately . All was ready at last , and they were just deciding to sit down without Ralph , when a shout told them he was coming , and down the river skimmed a wherry at such a rate the boys wondered whom he had been racing with . `` Something has happened , and he is coming to tell us , '' said Jill , who sat where she could see his eager face . `` Nothing bad , or he would n't smile so . He is glad of a good row and a little fun after working so hard all the week ; '' and Merry shook a red napkin as a welcoming signal . Something certainly had happened , and a very happy something it must be , they all thought , as Ralph came on with flashing oars , and leaping out as the boat touched the shore , ran up the slope , waving his hat , and calling in a glad voice , sure of sympathy in his delight , -- `` Good news ! good news ! Hurrah for Rome , next month ! ''
The young folks forgot their supper for a moment , to congratulate him on his happy prospect , and hear all about it , while the leaves rustled as if echoing the kind words , and the XXXXX sat up aloft , wondering what all the pleasant clamor was about .
Grif Jack Jill Ralph day elves fire first squirrels wherry