Oldalképek
PDF
ePub

now; so, come along, and help me gather some strawberries; for we are to have strawberries and cream after our tea."

George did not want twice bidding; for it was a treat to him, as well as to his sister Emma, to have tea in the arbour; and they had both been promised that the first fine day, when it suited their parents, they should have that pleasure.

So they ran into the garden and began to gather strawberries, putting them into a little basket which Emma carried; and which they very soon got full.

George and Emma were very good children for one thing. They never ate any fruit that they were set to gather, unless they had leave to do so. And as they had not been told that they might eat any strawberries while they were filling their basket for tea that afternoon, they had not tasted one. They knew that they would presently have as many as would be good for them. It would be a good thing if every little girl and boy were to act, in this respect, like Emma and George.

While these young folks were thus pleasantly and usefully employed, their father and mother were walking together in the garden; and their younger sister Ruth was with them-sometimes running before them, sometimes walking behind them, and then begging to be carried a little way. She said,

"Father, carry Ruth: Ruth tired;" so her father took her in his arms.

Mr. and Mrs. Hardy-the father and mother of the children-were very busy talking to one another. They were talking about a journey which Mr. Hardy was to take the next week; and they were speaking about George, and whether he would like to go with his father. George did not know what his parents were saying, or, perhaps, he would not have gathered the strawberries so nicely as he did.

We need not write down here all that George's father and mother said; for they decided at last that it should be left to their little boy to make his choice, whether he would stay at home with his mother and sisters, or go with his father where he was going.

By this time the tea was ready in the arbour. The arbour was built of wood, in lattice-work, and was covered over with shrubs and plants, which nicely screened it from the sun and wind. A laburnum tree grew close beside it; and some of the branches had been bent down over the top of the arbour, so as to make a beautiful roof of boughs and leaves. This tree was, at this very time, in blossom, and the bunches of pretty yellow flowers hung down over the heads of the happy children in the arbour. And there were woodbine, too, and traveller's joy, in full

flower, climbing up the sides; and ivy, with its dark green and glossy leaves. At each side of the arbour was a large lilac tree, which had been full of rich flowers a month before. These flowers were now faded; but a guelderrose tree, which was very near, was covered with its white snowball-looking blossoms. We must not forget that just in front of the arbour was a heap of rock-work, covered over with snap-dragons, periwinkles, ivy, white arabis, and forget-me-not; and on the very top of it was planted a fine large scarlet geranium, which was just beginning to put out its buds. Oh! it was a pleasant spot; and the air was rich with the scent of flowers.

The inside of the arbour had been swept clean, and the seats had been rubbed dry, that very day. This had been little George's work in the morning; and very happy he was while doing it; though he did not then know that he should so soon enjoy the result of his labour. Children are almost sure to be happy while employed in doing what they think will some day be useful.

And now we may fancy the little boy and his two sisters, and their father and mother, sitting on the nicely cleaned seats round the tea-table. The hot water was brought to them in an urn, so that they had no need of a fire to keep the kettle boiling. Mrs. Hardy spread bread and butter for the little folks, and gave them milk and water in their mugs;

and while she was busy doing this, their father thought of something else which he knew his children would like: so he walked out of the arbour, and went to the hot-bed, and came back with such a beautiful cucumber in his hands, that George and joy when they saw it. house for some salt; finished, there was not much of the cucumber left.

Emma shouted for George ran to the and when tea was

And then, the little birds flew about the garden-there were linnets, and sparrows, and yellow-hammers, and tom-tits-and as they fluttered to and fro, they twittered and chirped, and seemed as happy as were the little children in the arbour. There was a blackbird, too, very near; and though the shy creature took care to keep out of sight, he was not out of hearing; he sang a very lively song. Every now and then some swallows skimmed by the arbour, busy catching flies for their young ones; and again they were soon out of sight. There were rooks, too, flying far over head, going home to their nests in the park, and saying, "Caw, caw, caw," as they soared along. And the bees flew in and out of the arbour, settling upon the flowers; one found his way to the sugar, and made bold to fly off with a little grain or two of it. Emma laughed, and George laughed, and little Ruth laughed because they did; and their parents were

happy and pleased that their children were merry and good.

After the tea was over, Ann was called to clear the table; and then the basket of strawberries was taken from the bough on which Emma had hung it, and a jug of cream was brought, and some plates and spoons and sugar; and Mrs. Hardy gave her children each a plateful. She took some herself, too, and their father had some; he praised the strawberries as being very nice; and this pleased George and Emma, because they had gathered them.

While this happy little party were thus enjoying themselves, Mr. Hardy began to talk about the journey he was to take; and he asked George if he would like to go with him. George was not seven years old; and he had never been away from home for a single day, unless both his parents were with him; and his eyes began to glisten a little. He very much wished to take a long journey, and he had often talked about it; but he did not like the thought of being so far away, and for so long a time, from his mother and sisters. So he asked,

"But cannot mother go with us?"

"Oh, no," said his mother; "I must stay at home to take care of Emma and Ruth."

Then the little boy put one of his hands into his mother's hand, and the other into his father's hand, and said,

« ElőzőTovább »