X.
The weeks flew by, and Aunt Barbara was able first to take a short drive, and then to be in the air hour after hour.
One Saturday Mr. Lee pushed back his chair, after dinner, and looking pleasantly round on his children, said, “What do you all say to a visit to Mr. Sparrow’s peach orchard to-day?”
The young faces flushed back a glad response, and every little voice was raised in a joyous welcome to the proposal.
“Aunt Barbara must go, too,” said Meg, giving the old lady a protective look, which, although it was quite absurd, sprang from real kindness.
“Yes, Aunt Barbara must go, of course,” said Mr. Lee, smiling.
“And Hatty, Hatty so dood,” put in Harry, as he laid his plump hand caressingly on Hatty’s white arm.
“Yes, every one must go, if the carriage is as full as the shoe where the old woman lived, with that wonderfully large family.”
“I hope none of us will have to be whipped and sent to bed,” said Meg, laughingly.