as the shoe where
the old woman lived, with that wonderfully large family."

"I hope none of us will have to be whipped and sent to bed," said Meg,
laughingly.

"No, no. You shall all have peaches and bread, instead," said Mr. Lee,
with a quizzical look.

The children all laughed so much at what they thought a charming
witticism on their father's part, that they could hardly hear his voice
when he spoke again to say they must be ready in an hour; and then away
he went, to give orders about the carriage.

At the first mention of the excursion Marcus had darted away to get his
fishing-tackle in order; for he knew there was a famous trouting stream
on Mr. Sparrow's farm, and he meant to have sport, for which he cared
more than for bushels of peaches.

The hour passed quickly away in busy preparation for the coming
pleasure, and all were ready when the great family carriage Mr. Lee had
borrowed from his brother, came up to the door.

The horses seemed as full of glee as the children, and Mr. Lee could not
leave them to attend to the ladies. Marcus assisted Aunt Barbara very
carefully down to the gate, and handed her in so dexterously that she
was able to take her seat without complaining of twisting her joints
with the exertion. Then Mrs. Lee was escorted with great ceremony, by
Marcus, and placed at Aunt Barbara's side. Jane (with the baby in her
arms) and Hatty took up the middle seat. Marcus was to sit with his
father,--but what was to become of Harry and Meg. The little things
looked disconsolate as they saw the places filling up; but Hatty called
out, cheerily, "I will hold Meg," and Marcus said, almost in the same
breath, "Harry must sit on my knee, that all the gentlemen may be
together."

"All de dentlemen todedder!" said Harry, with a pompous look, as he
stood ready to be lifted to the place of honor assigned him.

"Now are all packed in tight?" said Mr. Lee, as he drew up the reins in
his hand.

"All right!" was the merry shout within, and away went the horses, as
if they enjoyed the sport.

The swift motion through the cool air made Hatty glad to draw close
round her the shawl she had thrown over her bare neck and arms; and Mrs.
Lee reached forward to fold the baby's blanket closely about it.

Hatty soon found Meg rather heavy, and she might have made the whole
party uncomfortable by complaining,--but she had learned that one way of
doing right is, to check all complaints about trifles, and to be as