Part 32 (2/2)
”Why, gum's all right.”
”No, it isn't--my Mother says it's a very bad habit.”
Johnny pondered. He wasn't walking along with Jane, he was about two steps ahead.
”Well, I don't mind quittin'--it's kind of girls' stuff anyway.”
CHAPTER XIV
MAY BASKETS
It was a late spring and both the wild blossoms and the early garden flowers were discouragingly scarce.
”I don't believe there is even a spring beauty or a dog-tooth violet out yet,” Mrs. Halford replied doubtfully when the little girls broached the subject of May baskets.
”I don't mind your making them or hanging them--I think it is a charming custom--but I really don't see where you can get the flowers.”
”Mother's got some geraniums in bloom. I think she'd let us have them,”
suggested Chicken Little.
”And maybe there'll be some plum blossoms out--it's three whole days till May Day and you can see the white on the buds.” Gertie was always hopeful.
”Well, get your baskets ready and we'll do the best we can to find the flowers. We can take some green from the house plants to help fill up--my oxalis is blooming nicely--that will be pretty to mix in.”
”I'm glad it comes Sat.u.r.day. I wish we could go to the Duck Creek woods to hunt for wild flowers--I just know I could find some.” Katy looked out the window longingly.
”Wait and see. Perhaps you can,” Mrs. Halford answered. ”But you'd better be getting your materials and start your baskets. What colors do you want?”
”I'm going to have mine all red and white--they're so nice and bright,”
Katy spoke up promptly.
Gertie decided on green and white and Chicken Little selected pink and blue.
They bought their materials that evening after school and started the dainty weaving at Katy's house. It was pretty, bright work and a good deal of a novelty to the children for a kindergarten had only recently been established in the town.
Katy did all the cutting of the strips of s.h.i.+ny paper. She had a truer eye and nimbler fingers than either of the others. But they were expert at weaving the gay-colored strips in and out, and the three finished six baskets the first evening. Mrs. Halford gave them each a box so they could keep their materials and completed baskets in good order.
”How many are you going to hang, Katy?”
”Six, but you needn't ask where for I sha'n't tell.”
”I didn't hear anyone ask you, Katy,” retorted Mrs. Halford slyly.
”I know two of the places anyway,” added Gertie.
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