Five Happy Weeks by Margaret Elizabeth Sangster
page 7 of 30 (23%)
page 7 of 30 (23%)
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can't-do-withouts, that he went to ask his father's advice. Mr. Evans
came into the parlor, and laughed as he looked at his little girls, and their anxious faces. "My dears," he said, "we are not to be off for a week yet, and when we start we cannot carry much baggage. The old Romans called baggage _impedimenta_, because it hindered them on their way; and that is just what it is, a hinderance. We must leave all our treasures at home." "Even Queenie and Fido? They will break their hearts," said Mabel. "Even Miss Josephine?" said Edith. "She will pale away and die without me!" "If I could take my wheelbarrow and my box of tools, I would be satisfied," exclaimed Johnnie. "Now, children," Mr. Evans explained, "you are going to see a good many new things; and if you leave your property at home, it will be safe, and will seem new and delightful when you get back. Fido and Queenie will go to Aunt Catharine's and pay a visit too." "I don't believe the week will ever come to an end," sighed Edith, and she repeated the sigh a dozen times that busy week. But it did. Miss Simms cut and basted and fitted. Friends came to help. The furniture was covered. The house was securely fastened. At last they all went on board the Richmond steamer, on which they spent two very sea-sick nights and a day. After that it stopped at the Norfolk wharf. It lay there some hours, but before it started again, Aunt Maria came with a great roomy carriage, and took away the children. At the last moment grandma had |
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