After a little while, they all left the turtle, and went rambling around, among the rocks and trees. At last Royal called out to them to come to a large tree, where he was standing. He was looking up into it. Lucy ran fast; she thought it was a bird’s nest. Miss Anne came along afterwards, singing. Royal showed them a long, straight branch, which extended out horizontally from the tree, and said that it would be an excellent place to make a swing.
“So it would,” said Miss Anne, “if we only had a rope.”
“I’ve got a rope at home,” said Royal, “if Lucy would only go and get it,—while I cut off some of the small branches, which are in the way.
“Come, Lucy,” he continued, “go and get my rope. It is hanging up in the shed.”
“O no,” said Lucy; “I can’t reach it.”
“O, you can get a chair,” said Royal; “or Joanna will hand it to you; she will be close by, in the kitchen. Come, Lucy, go, that is a good girl; and I’ll pay you.”
“What will you give me?” said Lucy.
“O, I don’t know; but I’ll give you something.”
But Lucy did not seem quite inclined to go. She said she did not want to go so far alone; though, in fact, it was only a very short distance. Besides, she had not much confidence in Royal’s promise.
“Will you go, Lucy, if I will promise to give you something?” said Miss Anne.