did also chide them for so doing.
The Pilgrim’s Progress.
Soon after this Mrs. Penrose went to New-York, and took Alfred and Flora with her. There they saw many beautiful things. As they rode up from the wharf, they were continually calling out, “O, mamma, look at that window!” or, “O, mamma, see that picture!” and, “O, what is that high building?” and, “Who is that queer-looking person?”
Their mamma shook her head, and said,
“Children, try to be quiet. Look as much as you like, but do not ask me any questions now.”
The carriage rattled over the pavement, and there were so many other noises around, that she could not hear their questions.
When they stopped at the house of the friend with whom they were to stay, they saw much that was very beautiful. There were pictures and vases, and many things that they had never seen or thought of in their little simple country home. But Alfred thought that nothing in the house was as pretty as what he saw from the back windows. It was a garden, filled with flowers. He was delighted when he was told that he might spend as much time there as he liked. Alfred was a real little country boy, and he loved flowers dearly. In this garden were purple and white petunias, and roses of many shades, and of different colors. Sweet mignionette, too, grew there; and there was the delicate cypress-vine, with its feathery stalk, and its little bright flower. There were grape-vines too, which climbed a trellice that leaned against the high brick wall. On the vines hung grapes; but they were still quite green and hard.
Alfred’s mamma told him that he might walk in this garden; but that he must never pick any of the flowers, or the grapes. She thought that she might trust the little boy, who kept his word so well about the dogs.
Some days after this, when Flora was taking her nap, Alfred’s mamma wanted him for something; and, from the garden door, called him to come to her. While she waited, she saw him coming toward her, with his little mouth puckered up, as if he had something in it. She called,
“Come here, Alfred.”