Chapter 29

           ThefirstthingTomheardonFridaymorningwasagladpieceofnews—JudgeThatcher’sfamilyhadcomebacktotownthenightbefore. BothInjunJoeandthetreasuresunkintosecondaryimportanceforamoment,andBeckytookthechiefplaceintheboy’sinterest. Hesawherandtheyhadanexhaustinggoodtimeplaying"hi-spy"and"gully-keeper"withacrowdoftheirschool-mates. Thedaywascompletedandcrownedinapeculiarlysatisfactoryway: Beckyteasedhermothertoappointthenextdayforthelong-promisedandlong-delayedpicnic,andsheconsented. Thechild’sdelightwasboundless;andTom’snotmoremoderate. Theinvitationsweresentoutbeforesunset,andstraightwaytheyoungfolksofthevillagewerethrownintoafeverofpreparationandpleasurableanticipation. Tom’sexcitementenabledhimtokeepawakeuntilaprettylatehour,andhehadgoodhopesofhearingHuck’s"maow,"andofhavinghistreasuretoastonishBeckyandthepicnickerswith,nextday; buthewasdisappointed.Nosignalcamethatnight. 

           Morningcame,eventually,andbytenoreleveno’clockagiddyandrollickingcompanyweregatheredatJudgeThatcher’s,andeverythingwasreadyforastart. Itwasnotthecustomforelderlypeopletomarthepicnicswiththeirpresence. Thechildrenwereconsideredsafeenoughunderthewingsofafewyoungladiesofeighteenandafewyounggentlemenoftwenty-threeorthereabouts. Theoldsteamferryboatwascharteredfortheoccasion;presentlythegaythrongfiledupthemainstreetladenwithprovision-baskets. Sidwassickandhadtomissthefun; Maryremainedathometoentertainhim. ThelastthingMrs.ThatchersaidtoBecky,was: 

           "You’llnotgetbacktilllate. Perhapsyou’dbetterstayallnightwithsomeofthegirlsthatliveneartheferry-landing,child." 

           "ThenI’llstaywithSusyHarper,mamma."