"But mother would love me to wear it. She gave me always what I asked for," pleaded Violet with tear-choked earnestness.
"And that is just why thou art such a little spoiled brat, who must have everything thine own way. Then let us talk no more about it. The hat would be destroyed if it were crushed up against the pillows, the brim would be broken; and the dust and leaves and dirt off the trees would ruin the trimming. Wait some day until I take thee to church, and then—"
"To church!" cried Violet, stretching out her hands suddenly, and uttering a cry of joy.
"Yes, yes; why not? We can draw thee there some day in the carriage, and I can carry thee inside in my arms."
"And I shall see where mother is asleep. Is it not so, Evelina?"
"Yes, yes. Now dry up thy tears, and think of the nuts and the trees, and all the fun we are going to have."
Violet drew a deep sigh of relief, and turned her eyes once more towards the carriage. Her heart was too full for any words as she wiped the tears off her cheeks and pinafore, and gazed with interest at Evelina, who, having finished setting the room in order, began to prepare herself for the expedition by putting a little muslin tippet on her shoulders, tied up with blue bows; and the daintiest white frilled cap upon her head, which sat just far enough back to show the pretty golden curls which clustered round her forehead coaxingly.
"Now, little lovebird," she said, turning with her pleasantest smile towards the sick child, whose eyes, she could see, were following all her movements with an almost ardent admiration,—"now I am off to look for a little hat for thyself. I saw one in a shop yesterday, just beside the flower-shop, and it is just the very thing for thee. It is made of brown straw, shady, and yet not too large. I shall not be a moment away."
"Thou art too good, Evelina," cried Violet eagerly. "And if thou seest the policeman tell him that I am going out to-day in my carriage. He will be glad, I know, to hear that, for he is my friend; and I will say to him how good thou art to me."