As she finished speaking, Aunt Alice fished a caterpillar out of her tea.
Charity looked thoughtful.
"Perhaps we should feel like that," she said; "it's because we never do it that we like to do it now."
"That's it," said her Aunt; "it's the unexpected and unusual that pleases us so."
"But if I was rich," said Charity, knitting her brows, "I could have something new every day. I should like to have a big house and a lot of visitors, and I would give them surprises every day."
"Well now, let's pretend you are rich," said Hope, "and Granny and Aunt Alice and Faith and I would come and see you. What surprises could you give us? Tell."
Charity sat up and hugged her knees. Her eyes were away on some distant hills. She was silent for a moment or two, then she began to speak.
"The first morning after breakfast I would lead Granny down the steps, and there would be waiting for her a beautiful little pony carriage painted blue with white velvet cushions, and two white Arab ponies with flowing manes and tails, and a little boy would get up on the seat behind and fold his arms and Granny would step in and take the reins in her hands and drive away miles into the most beautiful country she has ever seen. Granny likes driving herself. She always used to do that, when she was rich, didn't she, Aunt Alice?"
"I don't think dear Granny was ever rich," said Aunt Alice, laughing.
"Oh, go on, Charity! What about me?" asked Hope.