March, 1939
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
97
Junior King's Business
By M A R T H A S. H O O K E R
THE EASTER HUNT B y H elen F razee -B ower Illustrations by Ransom D. Marvin
Sister. “I beat you, didn’t I?” “Never mind,” said Mother. “Danny’s hair is combed and yours is not. That is something,
All morning the children fairly flew at the tasks awaiting them so that they could be ready to go into the woods right after lunch. When they were ready to start. Mother picked up Baby and her Bible and said, “You may bring the basket for Baby’s nap. I ’ll go with you to the edge of the orchard, and then I’ll sit down under the cherry tree and read while he sleeps. You two may go on from there for the hunt." Danny and Sister each took a handle of the clothes basket, and they all trudged off. When they came to the tree and had Mother all settled, they scampered in oppo site directions to "look for Easter.” “Don’t be gone too long,” warned Mother. “Well, you call us when you think we have had time enough." “That's a good idea. I’ll call you in forty-five minutes,” said Mother. "Three-quarters of an hour to find Easter," giggled the children and ran away. Mother sat watching the early afternoon sun drift down through the cherry boughs, her hands smoothing the blankets in Baby’s basket, and her mind lazy with dreams. “It’s just the most beautiful time of the whole year,” she murmured. "Deai youngsters, I do so want them to get the real beauty out of Easter this year.” When Baby’s gurgles had subsided to a regular breathing, she opened her Bible and began to read. Sometime later Danny came out of the woods. “Isn’t the time almost up?" he asked. Mother glanced at her watch. “Why, so it is. I was so interested that I forgot to
G ET UP, Danny. Get up, Sister," - Mother called from the kitchen. "Easter is just around the comer, and Aunt Harriet will be here soon. There is lots to be done.” With a slow grunt of disapproval the children tumbled from their respective beds and began the leisurely process of dress ing, interrupting themselves by occasional shouts back and forth to each other. In the kitchen, Mother continued with her breakfast preparations, and Baby beat a noisy accompaniment upon the high chair with his spoon. Sister emerged first, her tousled head a mass of bright curls. “When will Aunt Harriet be here,
you know. You may feed the bird, Danny." Danny moved to the window and began fussing with the fastenings on the canary’s cage. Suddenly he gave a shout! “Why, the cherry tree—just look at it! It’s all in bloom! Last week it was just a bunch of old dry limbs, and this morning it is budding out all over. Isn’t it beautiful?” “I told you Easter was just around the corner,” Mother reminded. “You sound funny. Mother," said Sis ter. "Just as if Easter was a person just waiting to jump at you, or something!” Mother smiled. “Well, Easter is a Per son, Sister. I want to tell you about that some time. But now I have an idea. You want to have an Easter hunt—-you mean eggs, of course. Maybe we’ll do that when your cousins come. But let’s have a new kind of hunt today—this afternoon. Let’s hurry and get our work done and go into the woods and hunt for Easter. Wouldn’t that be fun?” “Mother, you do talk so strangely. I don’t think I understand you,” said Sister. Danny grinned. “I think I do.” “T h en suppose
Mother? Will she bring the children?” "Yes, the children are coming too, and they will get here Friday—that’s d a y after tomorrow." "Oh, g o o d y ! ’ ’
cried Sister. “May we have an Easter hunt? It’s so much more fun when there are lots of children." "Well, we’ll see about that. You set the table now. W e must get started. I have lefts to do today.” “What do you want me to do?” asked Danny, coming in from his room. "Time you got here, Sleepyhead," taunted
you take Sister aside and tell her, Danny.” Danny buzzed in her ear a moment, and then Sister clap ped her hands and said, “Oh, that will be fun! Let’s do!”
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