Tom held up his head and seemed quite happy; so true it is, that be one ever so poor, a clean, respectable appearance makes one feel at ease with himself and on better terms with his fellows. "Now Tom, I expect you to be here on next Thursday morning at nine o'clock." Tom promised to come and thanked Mrs. Allen.
The appointed day arrived. Long before the wagon came, the children flocked into the garden. Pat was on the alert lest his flower beds should suffer.
Miss Keating and Mrs. Allen made all be seated, and to while away the time sang:
"Wait for the wagon, wait for the wagon,
Wait for the wagon and we'll all take a ride.
We are all good children; our teachers say with pride.
So now to reward us, they give us all a ride."
The children clapped for this; then Aunt Lucy played on the piano which could be heard distinctly out on the lawn.
Amy and Aunt Lucy sang:
"Come where flowers are flinging
Beauty o'er the meadows gay,
Where glad birds are singing,
Free from care the live long day.
Come where skies are smiling,
Where the merry fountains play,
Come, all care beguiling,
Keep with Nature Holiday.
Then away to the woods,
Where wild flowers bloom,
Where the breezes are laden
With sweetest perfume.