"Very well; I shall call upon you to-morrow early. You can go." But early the next morning, before ordinary folks were stirring, Seth and the children were again on the road. The wagon started at six o'clock, and Seth experienced a feeling of relief when he caught the last glimpse of Springfield. "No more ladies and gentlemen for us," he said almost gaily, with the air of a man who has escaped a great danger; "we have had enough of them." "I like ladies and gentlemen," said the Duchess--a remark which drove Seth into a moody fit for at least an hour. CHAPTER XVIII. The second day's journey was as delightful as the first. The weather continued fine, and Seth Dumbrick, recovering his spirits, did his best to entertain the children, to whom the ride itself would have been a sufficiently satisfying enjoyment. During the day Seth confided his plans to the good-natured wagoner, and his desire to obtain cheap lodgings for a few days for himself and the children at some modest cottage in the country. "Would near the seaside suit you?" asked the wagoner. "Capitally," replied Seth; "but your place lies inland." "I have time to go a little out of my way, and will take you to a cottage near the sea belonging to a friend of mine, who'll be able to lodge you reasonable." "Nothing could be better," said Seth, thankfully. "It's obliging her and you, and won't trouble me much. Come up, Daisy! Now then, Cornflower! Four mile more for you, and plenty of time to do it in." If Daisy and Cornflower understood that an additional task was imposed upon them they did not take it sadly, but shook their bells briskly and trotted out of their regular track with a willing spirit. "Round this bend," said the wagoner, "and a fine stretch of the sea'll be before us." It appeared almost incredible, for the trees and hedges in the path they were riding along were so thick and the path itself so winding as to obscure the view. "The children have never seen the sea," said Seth. "You don't say so! Well, I wouldn't be a Londoner, bound to live there all my days, for the best fifty houses you could offer me. And never seen a ship sailing, I'll be bound!" "Never." "It will be something for them to remember, then. Now, shut your eyes, my little lasses, and don't open them till I say 'Presto!'" Sally and the Duchess shut their eyes tight, their hearts throbbing with eager expectation. "Up then, Daisy! Up, Cornflower! Round the bend we go. Presto!" The Duchess and Sally opened their eyes and uttered exclamations of delight. The glorious sea lay before them, with large ships in the distance and fishing boats in the foreground. In one part the sun, playing on the water, transformed it into an island of flashing jewels. It was a veritable wonderland to the children--a dream of beauty never to be forgotten. "Do I see the waves creeping up, Sally?" asked Seth, gaily. Sally raised her face to his and kissed him.