"Charley, I wish you'd bring me back a Madeira cake, if you are going into Bath."
"All right, mamma."
"And, Charley," added the major, "just call in at Steer's and get those seeds for the garden."
"Very well," said Charley. "Will they let me have the things without the money?"
"Oh yes. They'll put them down."
Charley gave a brush to his coat in the little hall, put on his hat, and started, book in hand. As he was passing the children, they plied him with questions: where he was going, and what to do.
"Oh, I'll go too!" cried Alfred, jumping to his feet. "Let me go with you, Charley!"
"I don't mind," said Charley. "You'll carry the book. How precious hot it is! Take care you don't get a sunstroke, Alice."
Alice hastily pulled her old straw hat over her forehead, and went on with her cowslips. "Charley, do you think you could bring me back a new crochet-needle?" she asked. "I'll give you the old one for a pattern."
"Hand it over," said Charley. "I shall have to bring back all Bath if I get many more orders. I say, youngster, you don't think, I hope, that you are going with me in that trim!"