"No, master," returned John, "you need not fetch them, for I have them
here in this basket, and was just going when I saw the coach."
"Away then," cried Henry, jumping from the top of the gate, and running
before, whilst John followed close behind him, and Lucy and Emily came
afterwards, talking of the fair little lady.
Story of a Holiday
[Illustration: Henry looked along the road]
One day a letter came from Mrs. Goodriche to say that she was going
early the next day to the town, in a hired chaise, and that she hoped
to be back again in the evening; she added that, as she should be quite
alone, it would be a great pleasure to her to take up Mrs. Fairchild
and one of the little people to go with her to town, and she would set
them down again at their gate.
Mrs. Fairchild thought this a very neighbourly offer, and it was soon
settled that she should go, and take Lucy with her, and that Mr.
Fairchild should get the horse he often rode and attend the carriage.
Lucy very much pressed her mother to take Emily instead of herself, but
it was Lucy's turn to go out when there was a scheme only for one, and
I don't think that Emily would have taken it from her on any account.
So an answer was written to Mrs. Goodriche, and her kind invitation
accepted.
There was a good deal of talking and settling with Lucy about what
Emily and Henry wanted her to get for them in the town, before they
went to bed. Emily had one shilling and sixpence, and Henry tenpence,
and it was of great consequence to them that this money should be spent
to the best advantage.
It was at last settled that Lucy should choose a book for each of
them--Henry's book was to be about a boy--and the rest of their money,
if any was left, was to be spent as Lucy thought might please them
best. So she took their money, and put it into her purse with her own.
She had two shillings, and she had settled it in her own mind that she
would buy nothing for herself, but spend some, if not all of it, for
her sister and brother.
The family were all up at six o'clock, and soon afterwards they might
be seen seated before the open window of the parlour at breakfast,
those who were going being quite ready.
Emily and Henry, who were to be left, were to have no lessons to do,
but their father and mother advised them not to tire themselves in the
early part of the day by running about, but to amuse themselves during
the very hottest hours with something quiet. Mr. Fairchild also
reminded them that they must not go beyond the bounds in which they
were always allowed to play.
"I hope we shall be good, mamma," said Emily, "I hope we shall!" And
Henry said the same.
Henry ran out to the gate to look for the carriage after he had taken
breakfast, and he got to the very highest bar, and looked along the
road, which he could see a great way, because it came down a steep hill
from Mrs. Goodriche's house.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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