Charley began to open the gate, then touched his hat, and asked Mrs. Grey if she would please to walk in and go through the fields. She was very much obliged to him, and the children were delighted to get on the grass. They ran along by the side of the cart, looking at the great horse as he went on so strongly, and as if he did not feel the weight of the cart in the least.
"What is all that wood for, that you have in the wagon?" asked Alice.
"That is to lay under the hay-stack. The hay is laid on wood, not on the damp ground, you see, Miss. If it was not for the wood, you and Master Willie might have got into the cart and had a ride, but you might get hurt some way if it shook about."
"Thank you, Charley; I should have liked it very much," said she.
"Wo! Smiler," said Charley again, and again Smiler stopped.
"You could both ride on Smiler's back, if you're not afraid," said Charley.
"May we, mama?" cried Alice. "I should like it very much, only it looks so high up."
"Suppose we should tumble off," said little Willie, rather doubtfully.
Their mama was a little afraid at first too, but Charley assured her he would take great care of the young gentleman and lady; and presently Willie felt quite courageous and was lifted up and seated very firmly, and took fast hold of the collar. Then Charley lifted up Alice, and she put her arm round Willie's waist. Then Ranger began to bark and leap up as if he wanted to have a ride too.
"Stay by us, mama," cried Willie. "What a height we are from the ground!"