"Thank you, Ned. I'll pay it back when I get wages. You know I'm to get none till I'm here three months."
"I know. That's why I give you that sixpence. I think mother's much mistaken," added this wise youth, aged twelve, "making little of you like that. I say! I shall be late; good-bye."
Hetty put the sixpence in her pocket, and walked on very slowly; for she was wondering what she would buy with that handsome sum of money. She found her mistress on the steps, looking out rather anxiously for her.
"Oh, here you are, Hetty. I began to be afraid that you had lost your way."
"I met our Ned, ma'am, and stopped to talk with him."
"Your brother? Well, there was no harm in that, but when I send you with a message, you must always come back as quickly as possible. You'll remember this, Hetty."
"Yes, ma'am," replied Hetty; and Mrs. Eyre rejoiced to see that she could "take a word" without looking sulky. Perhaps she would have been less pleased had she known that Hetty forgot all about the word in two minutes, or less, being still mentally engaged in spending that sixpence.
"I have dressed the children; help me down the step with the perambulator. But before we go out, bring your box up here to the nursery. That is your bed; put the box beside it. That is right. Now come along, for I want to get out as soon as possible. It is good for the children to be out in the air."
They entered the parlour. Little Flora was ready to go out; she had on a shady hat, and was wrapped up in a soft woollen shawl.
"Now, Hetty, lift her up; do not move too fast, nor jerk her in any way. She is very easily hurt, and still more easily frightened. That is well done; you are stronger than I am."