When Laddie opened the doors on the east side, and she could see the big, red, yellow, and green apples thick as leaves on the trees in the orchard, the lane, the woods pasture, and the meadow with scattering trees, two running springs, and the meeting of the creeks, she said it was the loveliest sight she ever saw--I mean beheld.
Laddie liked that, so he told her about the beautiful town, and the lake, and the Wabash River, that our creek emptied into, and how people came from other states and big cities and stayed all summer to fish, row, swim, and have good times.
She asked him to take her to the meadow, but he excused himself, because he had an engagement.

So she stood in the door, and watched him saddle Flos and start to the house to dress in his riding clothes.
After that she didn't care a thing about the meadow, so we went back.
Our house looked as if we had a party.

We were all dressed in our best, and every one was out in the yard, garden, or orchard.

Peter and Sally were under the big pearmain apple tree at the foot of the orchard, Shelley and a half dozen beaus were everywhere.

May had her spelling book in one hand and was in my big catalpa talking to Billy Stevens, who was going to be her beau as soon as mother said she was old enough.
Father was reading a wonderful new book to mother and some of the neighbours.