46 THE SEVEN LITTLE BASKETS.

they had. never known any little girls who cried in India except
for reasons of that kind. .

“What is it, my: child? I don’t understand. What
bag?” said nurse, gently.

Little Mary took nurse, leading her by one corner of her
shawl, and showed her the sack with the potatoes in it; and
nurse said she would gladly see that no one stole the rest, while
Mary ran home with as many as she could carry.

“ But you will never get them all home before nightfall at
that rate,” said nurse, as poor little Mary loaded her arms with
a pile of potatoes, which nearly all rolled away again as she
tried to stack them up. She could not think of any other way
to carry them, for her flimsy frock was too thin and tattered to
hold anything so heavy.

“You had best empty all out and take the bag!” nurse
called after her, but Mary did not hear; she was already
running fast with as many as she could manage to grasp.

“The poor little thing will be quite worn out with running
backwards and forwards!” said nurse, half to herself.

“What is it, nurse?” said Ally, coming up. ‘ Why is the
little girl crying ?”

“What does she want to do?” said Delly.

“Can't she carry her bag?” said Rosie.

‘‘T wish we could help her!” said Posie.

“Let us try!” said Meg.

‘I believe I could carry it!” said Peg.

“Me tarry it,” said Sonnie!

Everybody laughed at this, for Sonnie toddled up to the
big bag and gave a great tug which only made him roll over
on to the soft turf giggling with glee.

Ally gave a pull, but could only move the bag an arm’s
length; then Delly tried, next Rosie and Posie came to helps