That will start people wondering too soon.”

“Of course.” said Jennifer thoughtfully. “I see what you mean.”

But Robin’s lip began to pucker. “I don’t vanta take anozzer nap! I did take a nap—!”

“Look out, Robin, I’ll have to send Jerry to hunt up your nurse again, if that’s the way you’re going to talk!”

Robin stopped weeping, aghast, and straightened his face out in short order.

Jennifer smiled. “That’s the talk. Robin is growing up, Jerry. See?”

Jerry grinned at him, and he trembled out a weak little smile.

Then there occurred an interruption. Letty’s young man had come for her. She came apologetically. It was the only time he could get a car. And could she go now?

They bade her good-bye and drew a breath of relief. Another anxiety out of the way.

Soon dinner was finished, and Maggie whisked the last dishes out of the way and came down with her hat on.

“Seems as if I hadn’t oughtta leave you this way.”

“Oh, that’s all right, Maggie. We’ll be fine.”

“Well, I guess you’ll find everything in order, Miss Jennifer. The things for the gardener are out on the table. And I disconnected the refrigerator. I put a note out in the bottle for the milkman, and one for the bread man. I guess there’s nothing else. And here’s the address where you can reach me if you need me. I put down a telephone number, too, in case you want me in a hurry. But I’m glad to get this little rest. And thank you kindly. You’re like your blessed mamma, Miss Jennifer.”

Maggie wiped a furtive tear away, kissed the children, and was gone at last, Jerry taking her away in his little car.

Then Jennifer flew into action. She took one glimpse of the kitchen table, full of food that Maggie set aside for the gardener, and then was back among the children.

“Tryon, will you go up to the trunk room and get the camping gear? The basket with dishes and knives and forks and spoons, you know, that we used to take on picnics in the car? Get the little portable stove, too, and the coffeepot and saucepan.”

“Sure,” said Tryon and went at a bound.

“Oh, are we going to have a picnic?” asked Karen, with eyes alight.

“I shouldn’t wonder, if you’re all good,” said Jennifer. “Now, Hazel and Heather, can you spread some bread for the sandwiches? When Tryon comes down, get him to cut nice thin slices of meat. There is a roast and an end of ham. And there is quite a lot of chicken left, too. Get wax paper and wrap them neatly. Can I trust you with that?”

“Of course!” said the young sisters. “We know how.”

“And, Karen, here are two paper bags. You fill one of them with oranges from the storeroom shelf and the other with apples. And when you have that done you come upstairs with Robin and me to get the baggage ready for Jerry to put in the car.”

By the time Jerry was back the packing was finished, the suitcases counted and stacked at the head of the stairs, and the lunch was well under way.