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and thin slippers, she felt a breeze waft over the perspiration-dampened places beneath her arms, and
she shivered pleasantly.
The other girls stood and shed their own gowns, which lay heaped on the ground like gigantic exotic
flowers.
Catch! Daisy said, and tossed the ball to Annabelle, who caught it reflexively. They all walked to the
center of the meadow, pitching the ball back and forth. Evie was the worst at throwing and catching,
though it was clear that her ineptitude was caused by inexperience rather than clumsiness. Annabelle, on
the other hand, had a younger brother who had frequently turned to her as a playmate, and so the
mechanics of lobbing a ball were familiar to her.
It was the oddest, lightest feeling, walking outside with her legs unimpeded by the weight of skirts. I
suppose this is what men feel like, Annabelle mused aloud, being able to stroll here and there in
trousers. One could almost envy them such freedom.
Almost? Lillian questioned with a grin. Without question, Ido envy them. Wouldn t it be lovely if
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women could wear trousers?
I w-wouldn t like it at all, Evie said. I would die of embarrassment if a man were able to see the
shape of my legs and my& She hesitated, clearly searching for a word to describe unmentionable parts
of the female anatomy. & other things, she finished lamely.
Your chemise is in a sad state, Annabelle, came Lillian s sudden blunt observation. I hadn t thought to
give you new underwear, though I should have realized&
Annabelle shrugged offhandedly. It doesn t matter, since this is the only occasion on which anyone will
see it.
Daisy glanced at her older sister. Lillian, we re abominably shortsighted. I think poor Annabelle drew
the short straw when it came to fairy godmothers.
I haven t complained, Annabelle said, laughing. And as far as I can tell, the four of us are all riding in
the same pumpkin.
After a few more minutes of practice, and a brief discussion of the rules of Rounders, they set out empty
picnic baskets in lieu of sanctuary posts, and the game began. Annabelle planted her feet squarely on a
spot that had been designated as Castle Rock.
I ll feed the ball to her, Daisy said to her older sister, and you catch.
But I have a better arm than you, Lillian grumbled, taking a position behind Annabelle nevertheless.
Holding the bat over her shoulder, Annabelle swung at the ball that Daisy threw. The bat failed to
connect, and whistled through the air in a neat arc. Behind her, Lillian expertly caught the ball. That was
a good swing, Daisy encouraged. Keep watching the ball as it comes toward you.
I m not accustomed to standing still while objects are being hurled at me, Annabelle said, brandishing
the bat once again. How many tries do I get?
In Rounders, the striker has an infinite number of swings, came Lillian s voice behind her. Have
another go, Annabelle& and this time, try to imagine that the ball is Mr. Hunt s nose.
Annabelle received the suggestion with relish. I d prefer to aim for a protuberance somewhat lower
than that, she said, and swung as Daisy fed her the ball again. This time, the flat side of the bat met the
ball with a solidthwack. Letting out a whoop of delight, Daisy went scampering after the ball, while
Lillian, who had been screeching with laughter, cried out, Run, Annabelle!
She did so with a triumphant chortle, skirting the baskets as she rounded toward Castle Rock.
Daisy scooped up the ball and threw it to Lillian, who snatched it from the air.
Stay at the third post, Annabelle, Lillian called. We ll see if Evie can bring you back to Castle Rock.
Looking nervous but determined, Evie took the bat and assumed a stance at the striker s place.
Pretend the ball is your aunt Florence, Annabelle advised, and a grin erupted on Evie s face.
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Daisy pitched a slow, easy ball, while Evie flailed with the bat. She missed, and the ball landed with a
neat smack in Lillian s palms. Throwing the ball back to Daisy, Lillian repositioned Evie. Widen your
stance and bend your knees a bit, she murmured. That s a girl. Now watch the ball as it comes, and
you won t miss.
Unfortunately Evie did miss, time and again, until her face was pink with frustration. It s t-too hard, she
said, her forehead puckered with worry. Perhaps I should stop now and give someone else a turn.
Just a few more tries, Annabelle said anxiously, determined that Evie should hit the ball at least once.
We re in no hurry.
Don t give up! Daisy chimed in. It s just that you re trying too hard, Evie. Relax and stop closing
your eyes when you swing.
You can do it, Lillian said, pushing a lock of silky dark hair away from her forehead and flexing her
slim, well-toned arms. You almost connected with the last one. Justkeep& watching & the ball .
Sighing in resignation, Evie dragged the bat back to Castle Rock and lifted it once more. Her blue eyes
narrowed as she stared at Daisy, and she tensed in preparation for the next feed. I m ready.
Daisy tossed the ball gamely, and Evie swung with grim determination. A thrill of satisfaction shot
through Annabelle as she saw the bat strike the ball solidly. It soared into the air, far into the oak grove.
They all whooped in jubilation at the splendid strike. Shocked at what she had done, Evie began to jump
in the air, squealing, I did it! I did it!
Run around the baskets! Annabelle cried, and scampered back to Castle Rock. Gleefully Evie circled
the makeshift Rounders field, her garments a blur of white. When she reached Castle Rock, the girls
continued to jump and scream for no reason at all, other than the fact that they were young and healthy
and quite pleased with themselves.
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