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           Bob,Jack,HughieandStuwerehoppingupanddownbythefrontgatewhenFeefinallypushedMeggieoutthedoor,herluncheonjamsandwichesinanoldsatchel.

           "Comeon,Meggie,we’llbelate!"Bobshouted,movingoffdowntheroad.

           Meggiefollowedthedwindlingformsofherbrothersatarun.

           Itwasalittleafterseveno’clockinthemorning,andthegentlesunhadbeenupseveralhours;thedewhaddriedoffthegrassexceptwheretherewasdeepshade.TheWahineroadwasawheel-ruttedearthentrack,tworibbonsofdarkredseparatedbyawidebandofbrightgreengrass.Whitecallaliliesandorangenasturtiumsfloweredprofuselyinthehighgrasstoeitherside,wheretheneatwoodenfencesofborderingpropertieswarnedagainsttrespassing.

           Bobalwayswalkedtoschoolalongthetopoftheright-handfences,balancinghisleathersatchelonhisheadinsteadofwearingithaversackstyle.Theleft-handfencebelongedtoJack,whichpermittedthethreeyoungerClearysdomainoftheroaditself.Atthetopofthelong,steephilltheyhadtoclimbfromthesmithyhollowtowheretheRobertsonroadjoinedtheWahineroad,theypausedforamoment,panting,thefivebrightheadshaloedagainstapuffilycloudedsky.Thiswasthebestpart,goingdownthehill;theylinkedhandsandgallopedonthegrassyvergeuntilitvanishedinatangleofflowers,wishingtheyhadthetimetosneakunderMr.Chapman’sfenceandrollallthewaydownlikeboulders.