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THE AWAKENING OF CHARLOTTE.
I Towards the end of the first fortnight's stay at Cow Farm it was announced that very shortly there would be a picnic at Rafiel Cove.
Jeremy had been waiting for this proclamation; once or twice he had asked whether they were going to the Cove and had been told "not to bother," "all in good time," and other ridiculous elderly finalities, but he knew that the day must come, as it had always come every year.
The picnic at Rafield was always the central event of the summer.

And he had this year another reason for excited anticipation--the wonderful Charlotte Le Page was to be present.

Until now Jeremy had never taken the slightest interest in girls.

Mary and Helen, being his sisters, were necessities and inevitabilities, but that did not mean that he could not get along very easily without them, and indeed Mary with her jealousies, her strange sulky temper and sudden sentimental repentances was certainly a burden and restraint.