But Robin at this moment had eyes only for the occupant of the neat and pretty basket perambulator he was steering carefully as Clarice walked by the side talking to Corrie. The use of this small carriage for the first time was to the children as important an event as the launching of a lifeboat; for had they not all combined since that happy Christmas-tide to obtain it for the poor sick child, who was shut away from all the country sights and sounds that would so delight her?
The money-box in mamma's room had grown heavier and heavier as pennies and threepenny-bits, and a bright shilling now and then, found their way through the small slit in the lid. These children were permitted to earn money in various ways, and all vied with each other in their interest and self-denial in this good cause. Papa and mamma finally completed the required sum by a handsome donation, after a prolonged trial of their children's labour and patience.
And to-day all these hopes and good wishes were realised; and the happy workers felt the reward fully recompensed the sacrifice. It had required no small amount of perseverance and self-denial in many ways, which children alone can understand. Yet they were far happier than the petted spoilt autocrats of some nurseries, whose wants are so abundantly supplied. There is nothing left to wish for; no channels open to them for the flowing out of a free God-like charity, the possession of which has power to make the desert places of any heart "rejoice and blossom as the rose."
When Robin heard of the prospect of a carriage for his little sister, his heart seemed almost too full for words. Was it a dream? Would Corrie actually see the flowers growing he had so often brought home to her in handfuls? He could picture in anticipation her eager hands reaching out after the countless treasures which he had not been able to carry her to look at since she was quite a baby-child.
No wonder, then, that his little sister's face was a study to him now as he heard her cry of delight when the woodlands appeared in view. A flush of gladness overspread her features, giving for the time an appearance of health. What the ecstasy of joy was to the poor sickly child only Robin knew fully. To be taken out of that dark street past budding hedges into the pure fresh country had long been a beautiful vision, which neither he nor Corrie had ever expected could be so soon realised. She had tried to content herself with seeing the glory and the beauty of rural haunts with Robin's eyes as he faithfully recounted each ramble; now she beheld them for herself, and rejoiced as a butterfly does who has found its wings.
Corrie was a little shy of the pretty ladies, as she called Clarice and Milly, who ran about close to her on the greensward, filling her basket with tufts of moss and flowers. Suddenly, as they passed round a clump of trees, a glade opened to view, the ground of which was studded thick with primroses. There was a universal scream of delight as Corrie's carriage halted on the soft flower-strewn carpet.
"Oh, the pretty golden stars!" she cried. "Robin, let me pick them myself. Oh, Robin, take me in your arms!"
The boy did so, after spreading mother's big shawl carefully beside a bright clump of primroses, that Corrie might gather for herself.
Ah! how quickly the little hands were filled as each slight stem yielded to the pull of eager fingers! All too soon the happy hour passed away, and it was time to go back to mother, hard at work, yet all the while thinking of God's goodness to herself and her crippled child in raising up such kind friends.