Nurse spoke a great deal to Emma about being very careful, and not going near the field where the bull was, and not crossing the little bridge which was soon going to be mended, and about several other “nots.” And Emma listened to what she said, and that day all went well. Artie and Mary trotted along very peacefully, and now and then, when the road was smooth, Emma let them push baby for a little bit, and baby cooed and crowed when they talked to her. They went near the Perrys’ cottage and they met all the children—Janie as usual carrying the baby, Comfort pushing the old wicker carriage with the two other babies, and staring away at the open book in her hand at the same time, so that Janie had to keep calling out every minute or two to warn her where she was going. Ned was not with them, that was the only difference. For Ned was beginning now to do a little work out of school hours.
The Perrys all came to a stop when they met the other party.
“How do you do?” said Mary and Artie politely. “How do you like our new p’ram-bilator?”
“It do be a beauty, Miss,” said Janie.
Poor Janie looked tired and hot, though it was not a warm day; the baby was growing heavy.
“Law,” said Emma, “I’d never carry that child if I was you. Why don’t you put it in the cart and make one of the others walk?”
“Law” is not a pretty word; but Emma was not very particular when she was alone with the children.
“Comfort’d never get her reading done if she had to look after Sammy walking,” said Janie. “And I’d have to push the carriage if the dear baby was in it.”
“Where’s Ned?” asked Artie. “And why doesn’t he pull the carriage?”
Emma stared.