All ready! March!" Softly the procession approached the spot where the marauders were energetically digging.

Grace gave a little gasp, and reaching back caught Anne's hand.
The girl using the spade was Eleanor.
"Now I'm in for it," groaned Grace.

"She's down on me now, and she'll be sure to think I organized the whole thing." For an instant Grace regretted making the promise to Julia, before learning the situation; then, holding her head a trifle more erect, she decided to make the best of her unfortunate predicament.
"It isn't Julia's fault," she thought.

"She probably knows nothing about our acquaintance with Eleanor; besides, Eleanor has no business to play such tricks.

Edna Wright must have told her all about last year." Her reflections were cut short, for one of the girls glanced up from her digging with a sudden exclamation which drew all eyes toward Julia and her party.
"Well, little folks," said Julia in mock surprise, "what sort of a party is this?
Are you making mud pies or are you pretending you are at the seashore ?" At Julia's first words Eleanor dropped the small spade she held and straightened up, the picture of defiance.