Arch and I are rather past that kind of thing now , but we do it to please the children , '' added Charlie , with a sudden recollection of his sixteen years . `` I had no idea boys had such good times . Their plays never seemed a bit interesting before . But I suppose that was because I never knew any boys very well , or perhaps you are unusually nice ones , '' observed Rose , with an artless air of appreciation that was very flattering . `` We are a pretty clever set , I fancy ; but we have a good many advantages , you see . There are a tribe of us , to begin with ; then our family has been here for ages , and we have plenty of ` spondulics , ' so we can rather lord it over the other fellows , and do as we like . There , ma'am , you can hang your smashed glass on that nail and do up your back hair as fine as you please . You can have a blue blanket or a red one , and a straw pillow or an air cushion for your head , whichever you like . You can trim up to any extent , and be as free and easy as squaws in a wigwam , for this corner is set apart for you ladies and we never cross the line uncle is drawing until we ask leave . Anything more I can do for you , cousin ? '' `` No , thank you . I think I 'll leave the rest till auntie comes , and go and help you somewhere else , if I may . '' `` Yes , indeed , come on and see to the kitchen . Can you cook ? '' asked Charlie , as he led the way to the rocky nook where Archie was putting up a sail-cloth awning . `` I can make tea and toast bread . '' `` Well , we 'll shew you how to fry fish , and make chowder . Now you just set these pots and pans round tastefully , and sort of tidy up a bit , for Aunt Jessie insists on doing some of the work , and I want it to be decent here . '' By four o'clock the camp was in order , and the weary workers settled down on Lookout Rock to watch for Mrs. Jessie and Jamie , who was never far from mamma 's apron string . They looked like a flock of blue-birds , all being in sailor rig , with blue ribbon enough flying from the seven hats to have set up a milliner .
Very tuneful blue-birds they were , too , for all the lads sang , and the echo of their happy voices reached Mrs. XXXXX long before she saw them .
Archie Charlie Jamie Jessie Rose awning blue-birds milliner nook spondulics