Page:Nid and Nod (IA nidnod00barb).pdf/250

 coal and so didn't look one bit like a hen-house! Miss Comfort was to have an early lunch at Mrs. Deane's, and she and the Widow were to arrive at the boat about half-past twelve. At exactly twelve Polly flipped her dust-cloth for the last time, the painter stowed his belongings in the wheel-house and called it a day, Brose relinquished his hammer, and seven satisfied and hungry workers gave their attention to the luncheon that the girls had prepared. To have dined at school would have prevented the twins and Kewpie from being on hand at Miss Comfort's arrival, and they didn't want to miss that!

There was plenty to eat, and full justice was done to the viands. It was a jolly, happy meal, too, for the Pequot Queen looked as none of them had ever hoped to see it look, and, as Brose remarked, it would look a sight better before they got through with it. "When the awning's up and there's flowers along the rail there— What color's the awning, Laurie?"

"Red and white."

"Great! And then there'll be little window-boxes under the two windows on this side. I'm going to paint 'em white with green crisscrosses