"_I_ could go with an umbrella," said Lucy, "just as well as not."

The children saw an umbrella behind the door, and they thought they
would go both together, and they actually laid down their book, spread
the umbrella, and went to the door. It then occurred to them that it
would not be quite right to go out, without leave; so Rollo went to ask
his mother.

His mother said it was not suitable for young ladies to go out in the
rain, as their shoes, and their dress generally, were thin, and could
not bear to be exposed to wet; but she said that Rollo himself might
take off his shoes and stockings, and go out alone, when the rain held
up.

"But, mother," said he, "why cannot I go out now, with the umbrella?"

"Because," she replied, "when it rains fast, some of the water spatters
through the umbrella, and some will be driven against you by the wind."

"Well, I will wait, and as soon as it rains but little, I will go out.
But must I take off my shoes and stockings?"

"Yes," said his mother, "or else you will get them wet and muddy. And
before you go you must get a dipper of water ready in the shed, to pour
on your feet, and wash them, when you get back; and then wait till they
are entirely dry, before you put on your shoes and stockings again. If
you want the pea-pods enough to take all that trouble, you may go for
them."

Rollo said he did want them enough for that, and he then went back and