It was like a holiday for Nick to take such a drive, and he was glad when his father made known his wishes.
"Harness up the mare to the fall-top and drive over; you ought to be back early in the afternoon."
"I will, if nothing happens to prevent."
Just then rosy-faced Nellie came out to feed the chickens. As the fowls flocked toward her, some perching on her shoulders, head, and wherever they could find a resting-place, she scattered the golden grains of corn with a deft and lavish hand.
Her father looked at the cheeks as red as apples and the eyes glowing with health, and, dropping into English, said with a sigh and shake of the head:
"I dinks dot Nellie looks some bale."
He meant to say pale, and Nick laughed.
"I don't think she is very sick; she ate more breakfast than I did this morning."
"Dot ish so, but I dinks dot I leafes her go mit you to Dunbarton, if she can shpare her moder."
Mr. Ribsam meant all right, and when his wishes were made known to Nellie she was delighted; her mother was glad to give her the privilege of an excursion, for she was an industrious little girl, and, furthermore, there were some purchases to be made both for the mother and daughter, which Nellie could attend to better than could any boy, no matter how intelligent.