But the week was not quite over.
"Celia," said Mr. Eyre, "this is Saturday, you know, and I shall be home by four o'clock. Now that you have that good-natured girl to see after Flo, don't you think you and the others might come out for a walk? It seems ages since we had a walk together, and these long evenings are delightful."
Mrs. Eyre, poor thing, felt nervous at leaving Flo even for a short time, knowing as she did that Hetty was rather giddy. Still, it was very hard upon her John to have to take his weekly walk alone, when all he cared for was to have his wife and children with him. She thought it would be unreasonable to refuse. So it was arranged that they were to be ready to set forth when he came home.
"Hetty, as I'm going to walk in the evening, I shall not go now. Will you take Miss Flo, and walk up and down before these houses? Now, Hetty, do not on any account leave the terrace."
"Mamma, why may not I go in the evening too?" asked Flo, in her precise little voice. "Hetty could carry me. Oh, mamma, do please let me go."
"No, my dearie; you know the doctor said you must not be out in the evening. Now my little Flo must be good—not selfish, you know."
"May Hetty take me up to the common? I do not like being here in the road."
"It is only for one day, dear. Now you know I want you to be good. Here's your nice pretty shawl. Let me—"
"I want to wear a jacket, like Lina, mamma. I hate being wrapped up in a shawl!"
"This is best for you, love. You know putting on a jacket hurts you."