Ella was so excited because it was Saturday, and that meant she would take her very first picnic with her Grandpa! Little Ella had always wanted to eat her dinner in a pretty place among the trees and flowers, and now it was really going to happen! Everyone knew she would need a basket full of all sorts of good things, and a tea kettle, and napkins, and something to sit on, but she didn’t know where she could get them.
“Oh, Grandpa! You will get me everything, won’t you?” she asked, clasping her chubby little hands.
“Yes, indeed, I will,” promised he. So they all went searching in the closets, and down in the cellar, and out in the stable, until such a pile was collected it would have made you laugh.
A large basket was filled with all sorts of nice things to eat: sandwiches, and cake, and fruit, and yellow cream in a bottle. There were also the napkins, and tea kettle, and cups, and a large piece of heavy oil cloth to put on the grass, and cushions to sit on.
“Better not forget my umbrella,” said Grandpa, “for rain has been threatening. Now we are ready.”
Off they started, Ella carrying the pretty basket on her arm, Grandpa with the large heavy umbrella, and little Roger bringing up the rear with a big bolster from the haymow under his arm. He did so wish to fix this for a cushion to lean against.
Out of the village and over the bridge they went, and into the woods. They were bound for a great, shady tree down by the river; but would you believe it? Just as soon as they were well started the rain came pouring down, and they were literally drenched before they could get their big umbrella up!
“No picnic!” cried Ella dismally.
“Yes, picnic!” cried Grandma gaily, as she stood at the open door and waved them good-by, her white apron flying up and down. But no one could hear her under the noise of the pouring rain.
Grandpa looked disappointed, but in a minute he brightened up.
“Why not have our picnic right here at home?” he asked.
“Why, yes!” cried Ella joyfully. “We can go out in the kitchen and eat.”
The kitchen was so nice and large, with red curtains at the windows. Grandpa helped make a sitting-room in the middle of it by setting the table, and putting food on it, and bringing in the seat cushions, and the boat pillows; and in a few minutes everything was as comfy as could be. Just then came a sweet surprise: a little old lady from next door heard the rain coming down, and guessed they couldn’t have their picnic, so she sent them a big dish of pop corn.
This made them all feel so merry that they danced a jig before the kitchen fire, napkin on arm, balancin’ cups on their heads; and all this ended in a little tea party with Grandma who joined them. After this the dancing began again and they danced out of the kitchen over a slippery floor that creaked.
Ella said her first picnic was just as nice as could be, and Grandpa kissed the tearful little face as he said, “This will be the first of many.”