Castles in the Air

           LaurielayluxuriouslyswingingtoandfroinhishammockonewarmSeptemberafternoon,wonderingwhathisneighborswereabout,buttoolazytogoandfindout.Hewasinoneofhismoods,forthedayhadbeenbothunprofitableandunsatisfactory,andhewaswishinghecouldliveitoveragain.Thehotweathermadehimindolent,andhehadshirkedhisstudies,triedMr.Brooke’spatiencetotheutmost,displeasedhisgrandfatherbypracticinghalftheafternoon,frightenedthemaidservantshalfoutoftheirwitsbymischievouslyhintingthatoneofhisdogswasgoingmad,and,afterhighwordswiththestablemanaboutsomefanciedneglectofhishorse,hehadflunghimselfintohishammocktofumeoverthestupidityoftheworldingeneral,tillthepeaceofthelovelydayquietedhiminspiteofhimself.Staringupintothegreengloomofthehorse-chestnuttreesabovehim,hedreameddreamsofallsorts,andwasjustimagininghimselftossingontheoceaninavoyageroundtheworld,whenthesoundofvoicesbroughthimashoreinaflash.Peepingthroughthemeshesofthehammock,hesawtheMarchescomingout,asifboundonsomeexpedition.

           "Whatintheworldarethosegirlsaboutnow?"thoughtLaurie,openinghissleepyeyestotakeagoodlook,fortherewassomethingratherpeculiarintheappearanceofhisneighbors.Eachworealarge,flappinghat,abrownlinenpouchslungoveroneshoulder,andcarriedalongstaff.Meghadacushion,Joabook,Bethabasket,andAmyaportfolio.