“If Washington’s army had only used submarines or airships like they do at present, we could have heaps of fun that way,” hinted Jack meaningly. “Oh, say, why can’t we build an aeroplane and try it?” cried George eagerly. “What of?” asked John. “Where can we fly?” said Anne. “Well, we might experiment back of the barns. There’s a telegraph wire which runs across our property there, and we can run a plane down the wire that steadies the pole,” explained George. “Or we could stretch a wash-line near the ground from the barn-eaves to the pole, and toboggan an airship down that way,” added Jack. “I’d rather play Washington crossing the Delaware, or at his farm when he was through being president of the United States,” said John, tenaciously clinging to the times of his ancestors. “No one can cross the ice on the river when it’s fall!” scorned George conclusively. “Then we can have the farm!” insisted John. “Hoh, we have farm enough—no one wants to _play_ farmer!” objected George. “Oh, well! Play anything then—I don’t care!” snapped John. But a call from the veranda settled all such troubles. “Children, who wants to go on a picnic?” “I do! I do!” sounded from every throat, and the children speedily rushed over to ask questions about the proffered treat. “Everybody secure permission at home, and meet us here in half an hour. I’ll look after the luncheon, so hurry up,” said Mrs. Parke. Everything else was forgotten in the bustle of preparing for the unexpected outing. “Where are we going, mother?” asked Martha. “Why, aunty wishes to see Mount Vernon, so I thought it would be a fine drive there in the machine. We can have lunch in the woods along the road, and be home again before night,” explained Mrs. Parke. Before she had quite finished speaking the children were shouting and jumping with delight. Jim alone stood silently by, his face expressing his state of mind, for he had no idea that he was to be included in this joyous party. “Hey, Jim! What’s the matter? Aren’t you glad and excited about it?” cried George, catching him by his thin little arms and whirling him around in a dizzy dance. “Whad should Ah be glad affer?” mourned Jim. “Because you’re going, too, if mammy will consent,” said Mrs. Parke kindly. “Me! Kin Ah ride wid yo’ all to dat Mount Wernon?” yelled Jim shrilly. Then not waiting for a reply he rushed away, and was soon out of sight around the corner of the house. Every one laughed, and John was told to run home and get his coat and cap. In a few moments Jim was back again, talking six ways at once. “Mammy say, da’s fine! Is Ah goin’ t’ dress up lak fo’ chu’ch? Is we goin’ right off quick? Has Ah got time t’ have granny sew buttons on m’ boiled shirt an’ get a baff?” “Yes, yes, yes! Run along and do everything you say,” laughed Mrs. Parke, giving Jim a gentle push in the direction of the kitchen.