It was Ellen Brownlee and her crowd, and every girl of them carried a
big parcel. They took in the scene as they approached. The fleeing dog
with something in its mouth, the half-naked girl and boy chasing it
told the story. Those girls screamed with laughter as they watched the
pursuit.

"Thank goodness, I saved the wishbone!" said Elnora. "As usual, I can
prove that there was a bird." She turned toward the box. Billy had
improved the time. He had the last piece of cake in one hand, and the
last bite of salad disappeared in one great gulp. Then the girls shouted
again.

"Let's have a sample ourselves," suggested one. She caught up the box
and handed out the remaining sandwich. Another girl divided it into
bites each little over an inch square, and then she lifted the cup lid
and deposited a preserved strawberry on each bite. "One, two, three,
altogether now!" she cried.

"You old mean things!" screamed Billy.

In an instant he was down in the road and handfuls of dust began to fly
among them. The girls scattered before him.

"Billy!" cried Elnora. "Billy! I'll never give you another bite, if you
throw dust on any one!"

Then Billy dropped the dust, bored both fists into his eyes, and fled
sobbing into Elnora's new blue skirt. She stooped to meet him and
consolation began. Those girls laughed on. They screamed and shouted
until the little bridge shook.