Royal and Lucy looked at Nathan. He was standing behind his bars, striking the upper one with a stick, evidently pleased with the rattling, but paying no attention to the discussion which was going on among the other children.
“Let Nathan go with us,” said Royal.
“No,” said Rollo, shaking his head; “I don’t think my mother will let him.”
“Yes she will,” said Royal; “Lucy will get out, and let him get into the wagon, and then you and Lucy shall be the horses, and I will be the driver.”
Rollo still thought that his mother would not be willing to let Nathan go. However, he said that he would go and ask her.
Rollo’s mother came out, and said,—
“Well, Royal, I hardly know what to say to your plan. Do you think you can take good care of Nathan?”
“O yes, aunt,” said Royal; “we will be very careful indeed.”
After some hesitation, Nathan’s mother consented to let them go. She said that she should put Nathan under Royal’s special charge. So she put a sort of a cloak upon his shoulders, and a cap upon his head, and put him into the wagon. Lucy and Rollo then took hold of the tongue of the wagon, to draw, while Royal pushed behind; and so they sallied forth from the yard, Rollo’s mother standing at the door, to watch them as they went along. Just as they passed around the corner of the house, she gave them her last charges; which were to keep in the smooth road, and to be very careful about turning.
The children, promising to obey these instructions, passed on around the corner, and turned into the road.