THE BROKEN ROSEBUD.THE BROKEN ROSEBUD.
Then Stephens told how he had seen Master Herbert walking about the garden with Neptune, and that, as he was at a distance, the flowers had been destroyed before he got up to the place. "But Master Herbert shall suffer for this," said Stephens; "I mean to tell his papa about it this very night."
Caroline knew well how severely Herbert would be punished, and her heart softened towards her brother. "Has Neptune done any harm to the other flowers?" she asked Stephens.
"No, miss," said Stephens; "for, do you see, the cat ran up that tree there, and got over the wall, and the dog kept dancing about among the flowers, trying to get his heavy body up after it."
"Well, Stephens," said Caroline, "since only my flowers have suffered, will you please not tell papa this time? I can get up early in the morning and tie them up a little, if you could help to rake it smooth for me."
"That is very kind of you, miss," replied Stephens, admiringly; "but what about the rose you have been watching so carefully all this week?"
"Isn't it strange?" said Caroline; "I came to pull it at mamma's request, and see, it is only broken with quite a long stem to it."
To Herbert's great surprise, Caroline returned with a bright smiling face, and said nothing about the state she had found her garden in.
The next morning Caroline got up much earlier than her usual time for rising, but not so early as she intended, for there was a good dealof hard work before her garden could be made neat again. Dressing herself quickly, she ran out, not even taking time to put on her bonnet, so eager was she to begin; when to her surprise, there was Herbert busy at work with a trowel smoothing the ground and propping up the earth round the crushed flowers. She stood for some time scarcely believing it possible, half thinking she must be dreaming; for Herbert was so fond of his bed, once he was in it, that it was always a very difficult matter to get him out of it. Now here he was, at six o'clock in the morning, hard at work, as if his very life depended upon it. She ventured at last to step close up to him, and tapped him on the shoulder, not very sure whether he would feel angry or pleased to be caught at his novel employment. She did not notice that her mamma was standing by the garden gate; for Mrs. Ashcroft, having a bad headache, had got up early also, and had come out, in the hope that the morning air would take it away.
"It is very good of you, dear Herbert," said Caroline, while their mamma paused to look at her children. "I was just coming to arrange them, when I find you, like that kind fairy-manin my new book, setting everything in order."
SURPRISED AT WORK.SURPRISED AT WORK.
The idea passed through Herbert's mind for a moment that perhaps Caroline did not know how her flowers had been broken, and so he need not tell her he had had anything to do with it. He had felt very miserable ever since it happened, thinking that his papa would be certain to find it out and punish him, and at the same time he was ashamed when he thought of his unkind treatment of his sister. It was only for amoment he hesitated, however; then turning frankly round, he said, "I am very sorry, Carry, your garden has been destroyed. It was all my fault, but I did not mean it. I took—"
"Yes, I know," said Caroline, interrupting him; "but don't say any more about it, we can easily get it put right again; indeed, you have done a great deal already. How early you must have been up!"
"Yes," said Herbert, with a smile; "I was down here when the clock struck four. I was up even before the sun. But I must say, Carry, it is good of you to pass it over. I won't forget it in a hurry, I can tell you."
Caroline asked him not to say another word about it, and, as she turned to go to the tool-house, she saw her mamma looking at them very seriously.
Herbert, with downcast face, was compelled to tell how disobedient he had been in breaking through his papa's express order not to take Neptune into the garden. His mamma was very angry with him, but after giving him a severe scolding, she said she would not punish him this time, as he had tried to repair the damage done by getting up so early, and also because Carryhad made the request after being the chief sufferer.
As it was still early, their mamma bade them run for their hats, and she would take them a walk till breakfast was ready. Before they set out, she gave each of them a drink of milk and some biscuits, as they were not accustomed to be out so early. It was a lovely morning, and the children enjoyed the walk very much. As they were returning home, they passed by a part of the park where their papa allowed a number of sheep to graze; and as they were looking over the paling, one of the sheep came close up to them and began to bleat.
"I am sure, mamma," cried Caroline, "that must be my pet lamb's mother; can she be wanting me to bring Daisy back again to her, do you think?"
"Well, I scarcely think it is likely, dear," replied her mamma; "but how do you know it is Daisy's mother?"
"Because she has a queer sort of tuft of wool on her forehead," said Caroline, while both her mamma and Herbert laughed at her for supposing that no other sheep but Daisy's mother had a tuft. "It really is," she said decidedly, thoughjoining in the laugh. "Oh," she continued, "what a pity a pet lamb grows up into a sheep. Only think of my poor Daisy's white face getting dirty and torn like that great stupid-looking sheep over there!"
THE SHEEP.THE SHEEP.
"Yes, I used to think so too," said her mamma, "when I had a pet lamb."
As they came round by the wood on their way home, Caroline said she would like so much to get some of the beautiful wild-flowers for her garden. Herbert did not say anything at thetime, but he determined to get up early the next morning also, and give her a pleasant surprise by getting a basketful for her. One might have expected that before the next morning came he would have quite forgotten all about it; but no; when the servant called him at six o'clock, as he had requested her to do the night before, he jumped out of bed at once. He knew of a deep dingle at some distance from the house, where many kinds of wild-flowers were to be found; so he made up his mind to go there instead of to the wood. The dingle was down in a woody hollow, such as the "Babes in the Wood" might have been lost in; and there were so many plants and ferns, that Herbert was often at a loss what to choose. However, his basket was full at last, and he hurried home, hoping to have them all planted before Caroline came down-stairs. When he was planting them it came into his mind how much improved Caroline's garden would be if there were a small arbour at the side of it; and he determined to ask his mamma's permission to get the wood, and make it during his holidays. When he went into the dining-room, after carefully washing his face and hands and changing his muddy boots, hefound his mamma standing with an open letter in her hand, reading it aloud to his papa.
GATHERING THE WILD-FLOWERS.GATHERING THE WILD-FLOWERS.
It was from his grandmamma, who lived some miles from them, and who had written to ask if Caroline might be allowed to spend a few days with her, to help to entertain their two cousins, Harry and Maud, who had just arrived from Australia. Herbert had got into disgrace during the last visit he paid his grandmamma; but still he felt vexed at being left out of the invitation,as he was curious to see these new cousins. His regret was softened, however, when he thought there would now be a good opportunity for making the arbour, so as to repay Carry for the injury done to her garden. This thought made him very glad. It was decided that Caroline should go that same day, and as she had a great deal to do in helping nurse to pack her little trunk, and give directions about her numerous pets, she did not once go near her garden.
Herbert could not help saying before she left, "I am so sorry I am not a kinder brother to you, Carry; I do mean, however, to be better to you in the future."
"Oh, don't say that, Herbert," replied Carry; "I know it's just in fun, and I am so stupid to look vexed. I love you dearly, for you are my own kind good brother," and she clasped her arms round him in a fond embrace.
"That's all very well," said Herbert, returning the affectionate pressure; "but I am sure I am not like Cousin Charlie. He is a kind brother really, and always seems to be able to do and say the right thing at the proper time; and as for being cross with Lizzie, he would sooner think of flying."
"Well, we shall say nothing more about it, dear," said Caroline kindly. "All I have to say is, I'd rather have you for my brother, though Charlie is as good a boy as ever lived, I do think. Let us forget everything disagreeable to-day, as I am to leave home so soon. Oh dear! I was forgetting; I promised Daisy, my lamb, I would have a romp with her before dinner, and the bell will ring very soon!"
They at once ran off, and getting the lamb from its snug house, proceeded to the wood, their favourite resort.
"I wonder whether she will know you when you return," said Herbert, as he stood watching his sister tying a bright piece of ribbon round her lamb's neck.
"O Herbert, please don't say that!—what a dreadful idea!" replied Caroline. "I really don't think she will ever be so ungrateful!—indeed, I am sure she will know me if I stayed away ever so long. Now, Daisy, am I not right?" she continued, kneeling down before her pet; "you will love me always, even after you are a great fat sheep, and I have grown up into quite a big girl."
Daisy seemed to be quite impressed with thesolemnity of the occasion, and put out her black tongue to lick her mistress's hand, as much as to say, I will never forget you—never.
CAROLINE AND HERBERT.CAROLINE AND HERBERT.
"Now, Herbert, you see I have tied the little bell round her neck, and if Miss Daisy goes where she ought not to go, you will hear her and can put her out; but I hope she will be a very good lamb, and trouble nobody."
"I'll look after her, never you fear," said Herbert cheerily; and hearing the dinner-bell, they returned to the house.
When she was safely off, Herbert told his mamma of the plan he had in his mind; and as she was very much pleased to see that her boy was trying to "turn over a new leaf," she gave her consent at once, and said that Stephens might take the pony-cart and help him to get the poles and wood he required from the saw-mill. Early and late Herbert was at work, and so diligent was he that his mamma had often to stop him, in case he should hurt himself.
"I am afraid," he would say, "Carry will be home before it is done. I do so wish to surprise her. I can't help thinking, as I work here by myself, mamma, what a kind-hearted, good little thing Carry is; and I hate myself when I think how I have vexed and teased her all her life."
His mamma spoke very seriously to him, pointing out how much happier he must feel by trying to please his sister than by vexing her; and saying that poor Carry's sweet, gentle disposition might have been spoiled altogether, if he had not been sent away from her to school. "Ah," said Mrs. Ashcroft, "you ought to have seen how she missed you, and how she wandered about for days after you left, with such an unhappy little face! You ought indeed to love her, Herbert,and be proud to do her a service, because she is a good sister to you."
Herbert manfully said he meant to be a good brother for the future, and never to tease her any more, for he saw he had been nothing but a coward all along.
The day before Caroline returned, the arbour was quite finished—a perfect model of its kind. There was a walk up to it, and a little flight of steps; and Stephens had transplanted a beautiful clematis, and, as the weather was very favourable, it had grown quite large, and gave Herbert a great deal of work training it. There was a seat inside all round, and a little table in the centre for Caroline to put her work-basket on; and on the table was painted, in bright red letters, "A token of love to my gentle sister."
THE ARBOUR.THE ARBOUR.
And now it was Herbert's turn to watch for the arrival of the carriage; and when it drew up at the front steps, he found not only Carry's face looking out for him, but there were his new cousins, Maud and Harry also; and, though he could not see him, he heard the well-known voice of his cousin Charles, and the merry laughter of Lizzie also. There never was a happier meeting of girls and boys, and while Charles as usual ran off to paya visit to the various animals, taking Harry with him, Herbert carried the three girls away to see the new arbour. Though Herbert had not done it for praise, he got plenty of it, for every onepronounced it a perfect beauty; and Maud, who did not of course know Herbert, said he must be the kindest of brothers, to take so much trouble; and though Lizzie might have told her it was quite a new thing for Herbert to be kind, she kept her knowledge to herself, only saying it was a perfect beauty. Stephens, of course, was praised for his share in the labour; and the two boys were as delighted with it as the girls were, and only wished they could make one also when they went home.
BROTHER AND SISTER.BROTHER AND SISTER.
When Caroline got Herbert by himself for afew minutes she thanked him very much for his gift, for she alone knew what had prompted him to make it; and ever after the warm affection Herbert showed for his sister was remarked upon by all who knew them.
While Caroline had been staying with her grandmamma, the gardener had caught a young starling, which he had tamed, and seeing that the young lady was very fond of birds and beasts, he asked her if she would accept of the starling to take home with her. Caroline, as may be supposed, was delighted with the offer, and thanking the gardener for his kindness, ran off to ask her grandmamma if she might be allowed to take it. Of course it was a mere form, for she might have known her kind grandmamma would never say No to any request of the kind. Only Caroline was a polite little girl, and always asked her parents' permission first. She did not, when they considered it necessary to refuse any request she made, keep saying, "Ah! you might, mamma," or, "But why, papa?" as I have heard many children do. No; she was certain the refusal came for some wise object, and she tried to bear the disappointment bravely.
"Oh, certainly, dear," said her grandmammaon this occasion; "you may have the bird, if you can manage to find time to take care of it; but I think you have too many pets already."
"What a funny idea, grandma," said Caroline. "I couldn't have too many pets. But I will tell you what I mean to do with it. I am going to take great care of it till Herbert's birth-day, and then I am going to give it to him."
"But you will have to look after it all the same," said her grandmamma, laughing; "for Herbert will go to school immediately after his birth-day."
"I shall like to do it, though, very much, grandma. I take care of his rabbits, and Neptune, you know," said Caroline; "and he said I had managed them beautifully."
Carry got the bird, it was taken home, and every day she hung the cage out of her bed-room window, and gave him a bit of nice sugar, and the starling became very tame. At night it was always taken into the housekeeper's room, and hung upon the wall there; and the good Mrs. Trigg was very kind to it, though a starling was by no means the cleanest bird that one could have. "You don't think Tom will touch it?" said Caroline, the first night the bird was there. Tom was Mrs. Trigg's favourite tabby cat; and really,to look at him lying on the rug, winking and blinking before the fire, paying more attention to the kettle hissing and boiling away than to any bird, Caroline could not help feeling a little ashamed of the question.
CARRY AND THE STARLING.CARRY AND THE STARLING.
"Oh, Tom has got over all that kind of wild pranks, Miss Carry," said Mrs. Trigg. "He is wondering why I am delaying to infuse my tea, for Tom likes his drop tea as well as his mistress."
"Then I must not detain you longer," said Caroline, knowing that Mrs. Trigg did not liketo be put past her tea-hour. "Mamma says that, if convenient, we are to drink tea with you some night soon, and my cousins are quite anxious to be invited also."
TOM AT HIS EASE.TOM AT HIS EASE.
"I would be a little nervous, miss, at entertaining such a large party," said Mrs. Trigg, but looking quite pleased nevertheless.
"Oh, you must ask us all," said Caroline, laughing; "when shall I come to write the invitations for you? To-morrow night?"
"Well, miss, if you think you could be happy in my room, we will say to-morrow night."
The invitations were duly sent out, Mrs. Triggrequesting the pleasure of their company on the next week; and each of the children received a separate note of invitation—and each, of course, had to reply, accepting the invitation, in the same manner. But on the very morning of the tea-party, when Caroline rose from her bed a little earlier than usual—as she had promised to help Mrs. Trigg to prepare for the great event—and when she had dressed and gone down to the housekeeper's room, what was her horror to see Tom, the tabby cat, on the top of the table, ready to spring upon the cage where the unfortunate bird was. She gave a terrible scream, which had the effect of scaring away the wicked cat; but the poor bird had evidently been so frightened at the glaring green eyes that tried to fascinate it and lure it to its ruin as a serpent does its prey, that it fell down to the bottom of its cage in a fit.
"Oh, my poor bird," cried Caroline; "it's dead. Oh, do come quick and help me."
Mrs. Trigg was not far distant, and hearing the cries of distress, hastened to her room, crying, "What's the matter, Miss Carry? Oh, have you hurt yourself?"
"No, no," said Caroline; "it's my bird. Tom has killed the poor thing. Oh, what am I to do?"
AFTER PREY.AFTER PREY.
The bird fluttered at this moment, and Mrs. Trigg took it out of the cage, and holding it before the fire, declared it was still alive, and might recover. Everything was done for it that could be thought of to restore the poor bird, but all to no effect, for during luncheon it died. Caroline was terribly grieved, and declared that the tea-party must be put off, for it was impossible she could join in any game after such a sad event. But then, when Mrs. Trigg mentioned that she hadmade a great many cakes, and that they would be quite spoiled even if allowed to stay till the next night, and also that she was going to be very busy preserving her fruit for the winter, Caroline thought she must try to go to the party. "I needn't play, you know, Mrs. Trigg," she had said. "I can just sit and look on; for, of course, the others didn't know what a dear good bird my starling was."
After tea, Caroline curled herself up into Mrs. Trigg's chair, and sat watching the others while they played. Pincher, Maud's dog, who had come with them, was very troublesome, and would hunt after the slipper as eagerly as the boys did, poking his nose into their faces, and sometimes even licking their ears with his tongue; and as they had their hands tucked under them, they could not stop him. Then, when Herbert flung the slipper over to the other side, and Harry made a grasp at it to get it out of sight before Charlie could get round, Pincher made a rush after it too, barking and yelping in his determination to catch this extraordinary rat or rabbit.
"I tell you what it is," said Herbert, "we must have Pincher put out of the room."
"Oh, don't put him out," pleaded Maud; "letus tie him up with his ribbons. Perhaps, Carry dear, you wouldn't mind holding him?"
PINCHER.PINCHER.
Caroline was very happy to be of use, and held Pincher very securely. The poor dog often looked up in her face as if to say, Are you being punished too? and then, while still looking at her, made little springs and barked, as if to encourage her to rise in rebellion and escape from her persecutors. He was really so droll that Caroline could not help laughing very heartily at him, and Herbert and her cousins were so glad when they heard it,that they left off their game at once, and came over beside her.
"I say, Carry, do come and play," said Charlie; "we can't feel happy without you."
"It is very sad about the bird," said Harry. "I know when my green parrakeets died on the voyage home from Australia, I was so sorry that I actually went to bed. But I'll tell you what we shall do: Herbert and Charlie and I will catch another starling, and then you can tame him, and keep him out of Tom's reach for the future. Mrs. Trigg says there are lots to be had in the steeple of the old church."
It was not till next morning that Harry discovered why Caroline wanted to have the starling; and no sooner did he understand that she wanted it for a present for her brother, than he said in his prompt way, "Will nothing else do? I tell you what, I saw a splendid thing that I am sure he will like quite as well. If aunt would only let us go to the town we could get it without him knowing."
Caroline gladly promised to ask her mamma's consent, but when she inquired what this wonderful thing was, Harry only laughed and said, "No; I'll keep it secret till to-morrow. It isenough to ask a girl to keep one thing secret at a time. Remember, if aunt consents, we must set out to-morrow before anybody is up."
THE JOURNEY.THE JOURNEY.
Mrs. Ashcroft having given her consent, Harry and Caroline set out the next morning, followedby Neptune, who insisted upon accompanying them. "You had better take my arm, Caroline," said Harry; "and let me carry your basket, too. We have rather a long walk."
At the town, Harry went straight to a shop where they sold all sorts of animals both alive and stuffed, and when they had gone inside, Harry pointed to a beautiful stuffed squirrel, and said, "That's the thing that will please Herbert."
THE SQUIRREL.THE SQUIRREL.
Though the squirrel was only stuffed, it looked so like a real live one, that Caroline too was quite delighted with it, and said she would be so glad to have it, only she hadn't so much money of her own. "Oh, never mind about money," said Harry, "To tell you the truth, I meant to have bought it for you the other day when I washere with Charlie. Now, if you like to give it to Herbert on his birth-day, why, there's nobody will find fault."
Accordingly the squirrel was bought, and carried home without any of the other children having seen it, and with Harry's assistance it was safely hidden away till Herbert's birth-day; and Caroline ceased to mourn for the bird, though she was often sorry for its sad end.
Herbert's birth-day happened during the time their cousins were with them, and, as was the custom, they had a picnic to a ruined castle a few miles distant. The day was beautiful all throughout, and a happier company of children could not have been found than those that set out that morning along with Mr. and Mrs. Ashcroft in the waggonette. The table-cloth was laid on the bright green turf before the castle, under the shade of a large sycamore, and when the ruins had been inspected they all sat down and enjoyed a hearty meal. Then, while the girls gathered wild-flowers, the boys went off with Mr. Ashcroft on what Charles called "an exploring expedition;" and on their return they climbed up the wild cherry-trees that grew in abundance in the neighbourhood, and shook down the ripe fruit upon thegirls' heads, who managed to fill their baskets amidst much fun.
After this, and while Mrs. Ashcroft rested, the children joined hands and danced round in a ring, as may be seen by turning over to the first picture in this book, which is called "the frontispiece." There had been much laughter before the ring could be formed so that each girl should be separated from her brother, and stand between two cousins; but once this was arranged, off they danced, round and round, till their feet could not dance any longer. They then flung themselves down where Mrs. Ashcroft was sitting, and had a quiet but happy hour's rest before going home. The day had passed so pleasantly as to be long remembered by them all; and Herbert experienced during these holidays, for the first time in his life, that the truest pleasure consists, not in gratifying one's own wishes, but in trying to make others happy.
THE END