And I do n't know just whom I do pity , but it is one of you girls . This is a letter from Grandmother Newbury . Tomorrow is her birthday , and she wants either Frances or Cecilia to go out to Ashland on the early morning train and spend the day at the Bay Shore Farm . '' There was silence on the verandah of the Newburys for the space of ten seconds . Then Frances burst out with : `` Mother , you know neither of us can go tomorrow . If it were any other day ! But the day of the picnic ! '' `` I 'm sorry , but one of you must go , '' said Mrs. Newbury firmly . `` Your father said so when I called at the store to show him the letter . Grandmother Newbury would be very much hurt and displeased if her invitation were disregarded -- you know that . But we leave it to yourselves to decide which one shall go . '' `` Do n't do that , '' implored Frances miserably . `` Pick one of us yourself -- pull straws -- anything to shorten the agony . '' `` No ; you must settle it for yourselves , '' said Mrs. Newbury . But in spite of herself she looked at Cecilia . Cecilia was apt to be looked at , someway , when things were to be given up . Mostly it was Cecilia who gave them up . The family had come to expect it of her ; they all said that Cecilia was very unselfish . Cecilia knew that her mother looked at her , but did not turn her face . She could n't , just then ; she looked away out over the hills and tried to swallow something that came up in her throat .
`` Glad I 'm not a girl , '' said Ralph , when Mrs. XXXXX had gone into the house .
Cecilia Farm Frances Mother Newbury Newburys day morning seconds someway