As to the region of the meadow and the brook and the rocks and the trees they all hoped most earnestly that Mrs. Smith would be able to buy it, for they foresaw that it would provide much amusement for all of them during the coming summer and many to follow.
Strangely enough Roger had never found the cave, and he looked on it with yearning.
"Why in the world didn't I know of that three or four years ago!" he exclaimed. "I should have lived out here all summer!"
"That's what we'd like to do," replied the Ethels earnestly. "We'll let you come whenever you want to."
Roger gave a sniff, but the girls knew from his longing gaze that he was quite as eager as they to fit it up for a day camp even if he was nearly eighteen and going to college next autumn.
When the exploring tour was over they gathered in their usual meeting place--Dorothy's attic--and discussed the gardens which had taken so firm a hold on the girls' imaginations.
"There'll be a small garden in our back yard as usual," said Roger in a tone that admitted of no dispute.
"And a small one in Dorothy's present back yard and a LARGE one on Miss Smith's farm," added Tom, who had confirmed with his own eyes the glowing tales that Della had brought home to him.
"I suppose we may all have a chance at all of these institutions?" demanded James.
"Your mother may have something to say about your attentions to your own garden," suggested Helen pointedly.
"I won't slight it, but I've really got to have a finger in this pie if all of you are going to work at it!"
"Well, you shall. Calm yourself," and Roger patted him with a soothing hand. "You may do all the digging I promised the girls I'd do."
A howl of laughter at James's expense made the attic ring.
"I'm ready to do my share," he insisted placidly. "Why don't we make plans of the gardens now?"
"Methodical old James always has a good idea," commended Tom. "Is there any brown paper around these precincts, Dorothy?"
"I see. There is plenty," and she spread it on the table where James had done so much pasting when they were making boxes in which to pack their presents for the war orphans.
"Now, then, Roger, the first thing for us to do is to see--"
"--how these gardens are going to look. Take your pencil in hand and draw us a sketch of your backyard as it is now, old man."