Children -- England -- Juvenile literature; England -- Description and travel -- Juvenile literature
The summons to tea was welcome, and the children joyfully gathered
around the well-filled tables. There were huge plates of sandwiches,
cakes, buns, jam, and big strawberries. All the good things melted away
so quickly that it kept the older folks running to bring more, while
nobody stopped to count the cups of tea that each one stowed away.
There was a little lull after this, while they listened to a band of
music placed under the trees.
Adelaide greatly enjoyed it; it was more of a novelty to her than her
cousin, and she was much interested in helping feed the swans, who had
evidently got wind of the entertainment and knew that their chances for
food were good. A number of these graceful birds had gathered along the
river bank, and the children were stuffing them with pieces of buns.
There was one greedy old swan that amused them very much; he was always
trying to peck the more timid ones away and gobble up everything
himself, just like some greedy children we all have seen.
The twilight was closing in when the last band of young people left,
singing songs, and waving their hats and handkerchiefs; all of them very
grateful for the happy time they had enjoyed so much.
"Miss Green says if we are very good she will take us for a drive in the
governess-cart to Richmond and Kew Gardens this afternoon," Edith
confidentially whispered to Adelaide, as they went up to the schoolroom
the next day. Lessons were learned as by magic that morning, and Tony
and the cart were at the door early in the afternoon.
Tony was one of the dearest of ponies, and was almost as much of a
playmate with the children as Towser.
"Look at Tony as we get in, Adelaide; he has the funniest little way of
looking around at you." Sure enough, Tony was peering around at them as
much as to say, "I'm watching you; aren't you almost ready to start?"
They halted a moment at the vicarage to arrange that Eleanor and
Clarence should meet them at the bird-pond in Kew Gardens. Soon they
were driving through the beautiful Richmond Park. Miss Green pointed
out White Lodge, one of the many royal residences; a rather small,
plain, white house in the centre of the park. "It was here," she
continued, "that young Prince Edward, the eldest son of the Prince of
Wales, who will some day be King of England, was born. His birthday was
celebrated by a great dinner which was given by the late Queen Victoria
to all the children of Richmond. Tables were set under the trees in the
old park, at which hundreds of children feasted, and speeches were made
in honour of the young prince. Afterward each child was given a mug, on
which was a picture of the queen and the date, which they could always
keep as a souvenir, or remembrance, of the day."
"Oh, yes, Miss Green," said Edith, "you remember that Betty's little
sister has one of the mugs, and Betty once showed it to me."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account