Page:Leah Reed--Brenda's summer at Rockley.djvu/80

66 “Well, you need n’t,” responded Julia. “I can assure you that it would be pity wholly thrown away.”

“But are n’t you tired, and were n’t the examinations fearful?”

“Oh, I am a little tired, and the examinations did seem a trifle wearing. But everything seems wearing in hot weather, even pleasure-seeking,” and she glanced  mischievously at Brenda, recalling one or two hot days  when they had vainly tried to amuse themselves.

“Oh, it is positively cruel to make people study and work in June. I would n’t do it for anything,” and Brenda shook her head very emphatically.

“Well, it’s all over now—for this June, at least; and while I won’t wholly agree with you about the cruelty of  making people study in June, I ’ll admit that I am very  glad to settle down to the business of amusing myself. Have n’t you planned something especially in my honor?” and Julia glanced mischievously at Brenda.

“The Fourth of July is the next exciting event,” responded her cousin; “but you and Nora must do just  as much as you can to make it a great occasion. Without any boys in the family, it is n’t the easiest thing in the  world to be patriotic.”

“What an idea!” exclaimed Nora. “Can’t girls be as patriotic as boys?”

“Not in the way of firecrackers, and things like that. It takes boys to make things lively.”

“I agree with you there,” said Nora, thinking of her own houseful of brothers. “Boys do make a Fourth of