About half an hour afterwards, Harry and Laura were seen hurrying out of the pastry-cook, Mrs. Weddell's shop, bearing little covered baskets in their hands, but nobody could guess what was in them. They whispered and laughed together with very merry faces, looking the very pictures of happiness, and running along as fast as they could to join the noisy party of their cousins and companions, almost fearing that Mr. Harwood might have set off without them. Frank often called him "Mr. Punctuality," as he was so very particular about his scholars being in good time on all occasions; and certainly Mr. Harwood carried his watch more in his hand than in his pocket, being in the habit of constantly looking to see that nobody arrived too late. Mail-coaches or steamboats could hardly keep the time better, when an hour had once been named, and the last words that Harry heard when he was invited were, "Remember! sharp twelve." The great clock of St. Andrew's Church was busy striking that hour, and every little clock in the town was saying the same thing, when Mr. Harwood himself, with his watch in his hand, opened the door, and walked out, followed by a dozen of merry-faced boys and girls, all speaking at once, and vociferating louder than the clocks, as if they thought everybody had grown deaf. "I shall reach the top of Arthur's Seat first," said Peter Grey. "All of you follow me, for I know the shortest way. It is only a hop, step, and a jump!" "Rather a long step!" cried Robert Fordyce. "But I could lead you a much better way, though I shall show it to nobody but myself." "We must certainly drink water at St. Anthony's Well," observed Laura; "because whatever any one wishes for when he tastes it, is sure to happen immediately." "Then I shall wish that some person may give me a new doll," said Mary Forrester. "My old one is only fit for being lady's maid to a fine new doll." "I am in ninety-nine minds what to wish for," exclaimed Harry; "we must take care not to be like the foolish old woman in the fairy tale, who got only a yard of black pudding." "I shall ask for a piebald pony, with a whip, a saddle, and a bridle!" cried Peter Grey; "and for a week's holidays,--and a new watch,--and a spade,--and a box of French plums,--and to be first at the top of Arthur's Seat,--and--and--" "Stop, Peter!--stop! you can only have one wish at St. Anthony's Well," interrupted Mr. Harwood. "If you ask more, you lose all." "That is very hard, for I want everything," replied Peter. "What are you wishing for, Sir?" "What shall I ask for?" said Mr. Harwood, reflecting to himself. "I have not a want in the world?" "O yes, Sir! you must wish for something!" cried the whole party, eagerly. "Do invent something to ask, Mr. Harwood!" "Then I wish you may all behave well till we reach the top of Arthur's Seat, and all come safely down again."