22 _ OVER THE SEA.

 

“Yes, yes,” assented the mother, “ whatever you like best, eas but you must really be
off to bed now, and be up early in the morning for our start.’

The next morning by daybreak the little household was all astir—Rosie bhatiering 6 away |
as fast as her tongue could wag, while her elder sister was trying to dress her under
conditions of the greatest difficulty as the child would not stand still a moment.

Aftera hasty breakfast, old Dobbin in the cart came round to, the door, and the party
having taken their respective seats started off in high glee.

“Gee up, old horse!” said the farmer as be took the reins, “get over your nine miles as
quickly as you know how.”

Dobbin. responded by putting his best foot forward, and soon settled down into a
steady trot.

It was a pleasing sight on that lovely morning to see the happy family overflowing with

   
 

pleasure and excitement start-
ing for a day of enjoyment in
each other’s society. They all
thoroughly enjoyed the drive
to the town,and then the real
business of the day began. \
First the dinner at the Inn— Ss
which had all the charm of

novelty for the children—then the shopping ; getting their finery and choosing Rosie’s doll,
which was a long operation, for never having been in that fairyland for children—a toy-
shop—before, when the child found herself there, she nearly lost her head.

_ The rows of dolls bewildered her by their number and variety. Blue-eyed, dark-eyed,
flaxen-haired, brown-haired, dressed and undressed darlings—some in baby clothes, others
in walking attire, and even grand ladies with sweeping trains, moving arms and legs, saying
papa and mamma, and all casting appealing glances at Rosie as if they were saying: “I do
so want a change—I should like to come and be your little girl—pray, pray, buy me!”

Arid not of course being able to buy all she at last decided on a big baby-doll because it:

looked so gentle and sweet, and she thought it would be quite like the little sister she had
always longed to have.