The little donkey took it all very calmly; hay was as sweet to him there as in Windsor, so long as he had plenty of it. And when the children turned away at last, he did not even raise his head to look after them. As soon as dinner was done, came the great event of going their first expedition, and nurse thought the children would go mad over it. At last all were ready. Lucia and nurse promised to walk with them, Barbara was to hold the reins, while May and Evan were to take the first turn of walking, it having been agreed that Neddy certainly should not be asked to pull more than two grown-up people or three children. Besides, the carriage was not intended for more than this. Perhaps never were happier children than those five, as they proudly escorted Neddy through the wood. Nurse and Lucia smiled to each other as they watched them, and Lucia said— "I love to see children happy, nurse; they can only have childhood once!" "Yes, that's true, miss, I'm sure; but folks don't always think that." "So long as they are good and obedient, I mean; I would not have them spoilt for the world." CHAPTER IX. "A SLIP BETWIXT." FOR a few days the donkey carriage was in everybody's thoughts, and nothing else could be done. They went into the forest again, and spent a whole day there (a happier day than the last, May said, edging up close to Lucia to whisper it), and Neddy could easily draw the basket of provisions, and even the kettle full of the water for their tea. But though the girls did not seem to tire of roaming about picking flowers, and taking turns in riding in the little carriage; and though Lucia was perfectly happy with her sketching wherever they liked to take her, the two boys had a project which effectually kept them from "settling down," as nurse was wont to call it. One morning at breakfast, when the plans for the day were being discussed, Evan asked Lucia if he and Ivor might go into Windsor that morning. "I don't care to walk so far in this heat," exclaimed nurse; "we'd far better stay in the garden to-day." "We could go alone, couldn't we, Lucia?" asked Ivor. Lucia looked puzzled; she glanced out of the window, and then back at their little eager faces. "I do not suppose you could come to any harm," she said; "but I wish you had been happy to stay here to-day." "Oh, do let us!" coaxed Ivor. "We have been awfully good now, haven't we? Not a bit of trouble; and we will be back by dinner time." "I should think so!" exclaimed Lucia. "Of course you will, long before that." The boys discreetly said no more; they considered that this was permission, and would not run the chance of its being revoked. So, before nurse and Lucia had finished the little housekeeping duties which generally occupied them for a short time, the two boys were well on their way, their money jingling in their pockets, and their hearts beating in anticipation of their "spree."