"I know the gentleman who had it put here," she said, "and he is quite willing that we should use it; but he will not give any one else this liberty." "I think I know him too," said Malcolm as he walked in after Miss Harson. "And I!"--"And I!" exclaimed the little girls. "It is our own papa. How very kind of him!" "Yes," replied their governess; "he said, when I spoke of a tent, that it would be a good thing for the wood-ramblers to have a place of shelter when they were over-taken by a sudden shower, and also a place in which to rest comfortably when they were tired; and this pretty tent, you see, is all ready for us at any time." It was a very nice tent indeed, having a long cushioned seat inside, two little rocking-chairs that were at once appropriated, a small table, and a bracket with books on it. On the table there was a round basket of oranges, which made every one thirsty at once. "I do believe," said Malcolm, suddenly, "that it's made of India-rubber." "Not the orange, I hope?" replied Miss Harson, while the little sisters looked up in surprise. An India-rubber orange was a thing to be laughed at, though not to be eaten, and the children were in such a state of glee over this pleasant surprise that they were ready to laugh almost at nothing. Presently their governess said, "Malcolm means the tent, of course; and he is quite right, for the covering is India-rubber cloth." "But why isn't it dark and ugly, like the waterproofs?" was the next question. "Simply because it need not be so, and it is prettier to have it white or of this pale gray. But these shades are too conspicuous for overshoes or waterproof cloaks, so the latter are made as dark as possible. The caoutchoue, you know, is naturally white or very light colored." "How do they make the cloth?" asked Malcolm. "It is first made as cloth," was the reply; "then a thin coating of India-rubber is spread over two layers of it. The cloth is then put together and pressed between rollers, so that the two pieces firmly adhere, with the caoutchoue between them. No rain can penetrate such a screen as this," It was delightful to know that they would be safe and dry in case of a shower, and the children thought it must be just the prettiest tent that ever was made. The cushioned seat was covered with scarlet, and so were the little chairs, which Clara and Edith knew were meant for them; the edges of the cloth were scalloped with the same bright color, and there was even a rug to match spread in front of the "divan," as Miss Harson laughingly said the cushioned seat must be called. "Haven't we 'most come to the end of the trees?" asked Clara. "I never thought that there were so many different kinds," "Look around and see if you feel acquainted with them all," replied her governess. They had left the tent after quite a long "sitting," and were now on their way to the house.