the driveway with a loud crunch of gravel. A moment later he came into the house, carrying a large package.

“Special delivery for Miss Constance Williams,” he called in a loud voice. “Anyone here by that name?”

Connie laughed aloud, for although her name47 really was Constance, no one ever thought to call her by it.

47

The package was long, narrow, and very large.

“Is it from my Grandmother Williams?” Connie asked eagerly.

She tried to untie the cords on the package but they were very firm. Her father finally had to cut them with his pocket knife.

While the Brownies and Veve gathered around, Connie unwrapped two layers of heavy brown paper. Next she removed a covering of tissue paper.

Two long, narrow boards with leather straps clattered to the floor.

“Why, what are they?” asked Connie. She could not hide her disappointment.

“Skis,” announced Veve. “But how can you use them when there isn’t any snow?”

“I’m afraid Grandmother forgot about our mild weather,” admitted Mrs. Williams. Then to cheer Connie, she added: “Before spring, we’ll surely have another snow.”

Connie gazed out into the muddy yard and couldn’t say a word. The other Brownies knew just how discouraged she felt.

The room was very quiet. Then, unexpectedly, Miss Gordon took a letter from her pocket.

48 “Girls,” she said, “I know this isn’t a Brownie meeting, so perhaps I should wait. But I do have important news.”

48

“Tell us,” chorused the Brownies.

“You remember the question I asked you to think over?”

“Oh, yes,” agreed the Brownies. The skis now were forgotten and everyone listened hard.

 Prev. P 27/113 next