Next came Arthur and Ada,
and the riding party were all ready.
She came out at the moment, and he mounted her first of all. And then Dolly was placed in a little arm-chair; Netta and Isabel, with their curls dancing in the sunshine, had saddles; but Walter had discovered there were some to be obtained with a sort of hoop round them, and with these they seemed delighted.
Next came Arthur and Ada, and the riding party were all ready.
Mrs. Arundel, Tom, and the baby, with the two servants and two hampers, were packed into the carriage.
"Where are you going to ride?" asked Isabel anxiously.
"Oh, I walk! No donkeys for me, thank you," answered Walter; "my legs are too long."
"So they are," said Dolly; "they would touch."
Mrs. Ross and Alfy came to the door to see them off. The carriage started at the pace of the donkeys, Walter generally walking by Nellie, and holding Dolly's bridle.
Shouts, screams, and laughter filled the air as the donkeys jogged their riders up and down. Tom leaned as far as he dared to see the merry party, and could not help enjoying their pleasure, though he kept on telling himself "it was very hard."