Mary liked to imagine things about Maskells; it would do for the Tower of London with dungeons in it, or for Lochleven with Mary Queen of Scots escaping by night, or for a besieged castle, and hundreds of other fancies. She invented games founded on those scenes which were popular at first, but as she always took the leading parts herself, the other children soon tired of them. "Don't let's pretend anything else," Jennie would say, who had a practical mind; "let's have a game of hide-and-seek." And certainly no place could have been better fitted than Maskells for the purpose. STORY ONE, CHAPTER 3. THE ADVENTURE. Mary did not fail to start in good time for the White House on the morning after Jackie's invitation, and reached the gates leading into the stable-yard just as the clock was striking nine. The donkey-cart was standing there ready, and the four elder children were busily engaged round it stowing away large parcels to the best advantage, and thrusting in a variety of small ones. There was an anxious look on all their faces, for they had so many things to remember and the cart was small. Rice, the old nurse, stood by with the youngest child in her arms; she was to ride in the cart with her three charges, who were too small to walk so far, but it seemed more than doubtful at present if there would be room by the time the packing was finished. Taught by experience, however, she wisely forebore to interfere with the arrangements and waited patiently. "Have you got everything?" asked Mary as she entered. There was not much more visible of Jackie than his boots, for he was making great exertions head-foremost in the cart, but he answered in a muffled voice: "I think so. Read the list, Agatha." "Potatoes and apples to roast--" began Agatha. "There, now!" said Jackie, and the next minute he was plunging in at the kitchen door. "I _knew_ you'd forget something," said Mary triumphantly. "What a good idea it was of mine to have a list!" Jackie soon came back with a knobbly-looking canvas bag in his hand, and followed by Fraulein Schnipp the German governess. "I say," he said, "we've forgotten Fraulein's camp-stool and sketching things; and she says she can't go without them." "Well," said Jennie in a low tone, "I don't believe you can get them in. I should think she might carry them herself." "Don't," said Patrick with a nudge of his elbow; "you'll make her cry." It was a puzzling habit that Fraulein had, to weep silently at unexpected moments, and say her feelings were hurt. This was so distressing that the children were always anxious to avoid it if possible. She stood looking on now with a pleased smile, grasping her camp-stool, and understanding very little of the chatter going on round her. Fraulein was very good-natured looking, with large soft blue eyes and a quantity of frizzy fair hair.