"So all my dear children must try to carry out their own duties faithfully," said Dr. Arundel. "For the heat will be very great, and you will all be a little excited; and perhaps, dear children," he said gravely, "just a little cross and inclined to quarrel in consequence; so you must be watchful. We shall not be home to-night, Nellie; but I hope by tea-time to-morrow to see you all again in peace."
When their father and mother were fairly gone after breakfast, and the children had waved the last good-bye to them from the window, they turned round to the unusually empty room, and Ada exclaimed, "Come along, Nellie, now we'll begin to pack!"
"Oh, yes!" said Netta rapturously, "let us."
Nellie put her hand gently on Netta's shoulder, and was going to speak, but the hubbub drowned her voice.
"Yes; I shall get all my doll's things together, and we can pack them into the play-box, all ready," said Isabel turning to the door.
"I shall do nothing of the sort," said Arthur. "What's the good of packing up so long before? I shall get my painting, and have a long morning at it, that is if I am not too lazy."
At last Nellie's soft tones could be heard, and she spoke a little entreatingly. "Netta dear, and Isabel, I am so sorry to disappoint you; but mamma told me particularly she wished everything to go on as usual. She wished you little ones to go for your early walk, and then to have lessons."
"Lessons!" said Netta dolefully.
"Lessons! When we are going to the sea-side," added Isabel rather crossly.
"Mamma said so," said Nellie; "and the time will pass all the more quickly if we are industrious," she added cheerfully.