Carry's Rose Part 4

"I tell you what it is," said Herbert, "we must have Pincher put out of the room."

"Oh, don't put him out," pleaded Maud; "let us tie him up with his ribbons. Perhaps, Carry dear, you wouldn't mind holding him?"

[Ill.u.s.tration: PINCHER.]

Caroline was very happy to be of use, and held Pincher very securely. The poor dog often looked up in her face as if to say, Are you being punished too? and then, while still looking at her, made little springs and barked, as if to encourage her to rise in rebellion and escape from her persecutors. He was really so droll that Caroline could not help laughing very heartily at him, and Herbert and her cousins were so glad when they heard it, that they left off their game at once, and came over beside her.

"I say, Carry, do come and play," said Charlie; "we can't feel happy without you."

"It is very sad about the bird," said Harry. "I know when my green parrakeets died on the voyage home from Australia, I was so sorry that I actually went to bed. But I'll tell you what we shall do: Herbert and Charlie and I will catch another starling, and then you can tame him, and keep him out of Tom's reach for the future. Mrs. Trigg says there are lots to be had in the steeple of the old church."

It was not till next morning that Harry discovered why Caroline wanted to have the starling; and no sooner did he understand that she wanted it for a present for her brother, than he said in his prompt way, "Will nothing else do? I tell you what, I saw a splendid thing that I am sure he will like quite as well. If aunt would only let us go to the town we could get it without him knowing."

Caroline gladly promised to ask her mamma's consent, but when she inquired what this wonderful thing was, Harry only laughed and said, "No; I'll keep it secret till to-morrow. It is enough to ask a girl to keep one thing secret at a time. Remember, if aunt consents, we must set out to-morrow before anybody is up."

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE JOURNEY.]

Mrs. Ashcroft having given her consent, Harry and Caroline set out the next morning, followed by Neptune, who insisted upon accompanying them.

"You had better take my arm, Caroline," said Harry; "and let me carry your basket, too. We have rather a long walk."

At the town, Harry went straight to a shop where they sold all sorts of animals both alive and stuffed, and when they had gone inside, Harry pointed to a beautiful stuffed squirrel, and said, "That's the thing that will please Herbert."

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE SQUIRREL.]

Though the squirrel was only stuffed, it looked so like a real live one, that Caroline too was quite delighted with it, and said she would be so glad to have it, only she hadn't so much money of her own. "Oh, never mind about money," said Harry, "To tell you the truth, I meant to have bought it for you the other day when I was here with Charlie. Now, if you like to give it to Herbert on his birth-day, why, there's n.o.body will find fault."

Accordingly the squirrel was bought, and carried home without any of the other children having seen it, and with Harry's a.s.sistance it was safely hidden away till Herbert's birth-day; and Caroline ceased to mourn for the bird, though she was often sorry for its sad end.

Herbert's birth-day happened during the time their cousins were with them, and, as was the custom, they had a picnic to a ruined castle a few miles distant. The day was beautiful all throughout, and a happier company of children could not have been found than those that set out that morning along with Mr. and Mrs. Ashcroft in the waggonette. The table-cloth was laid on the bright green turf before the castle, under the shade of a large sycamore, and when the ruins had been inspected they all sat down and enjoyed a hearty meal. Then, while the girls gathered wild-flowers, the boys went off with Mr. Ashcroft on what Charles called "an exploring expedition;" and on their return they climbed up the wild cherry-trees that grew in abundance in the neighbourhood, and shook down the ripe fruit upon the girls' heads, who managed to fill their baskets amidst much fun.

After this, and while Mrs. Ashcroft rested, the children joined hands and danced round in a ring, as may be seen by turning over to the first picture in this book, which is called "the frontispiece." There had been much laughter before the ring could be formed so that each girl should be separated from her brother, and stand between two cousins; but once this was arranged, off they danced, round and round, till their feet could not dance any longer. They then flung themselves down where Mrs. Ashcroft was sitting, and had a quiet but happy hour's rest before going home. The day had pa.s.sed so pleasantly as to be long remembered by them all; and Herbert experienced during these holidays, for the first time in his life, that the truest pleasure consists, not in gratifying one's own wishes, but in trying to make others happy.