'How very pretty it is to-day!' said Miss Mouse eagerly, 'I've never seen it like this—the sunshine makes all the colours different, but, oh! how cold it must be in winter when it snows! I couldn't help thinking ever so many times of old Nance's story of the poor boy crossing it that winter night. I do so want to hear some more of her stories. Of course we can't stop at the cottage to-day, but don't you think we might next Wednesday perhaps?'
'That depends on those horrid little beasts of Justin's,' said Pat crossly, 'if Bob's got them by then Justin will always be wanting to go there.'
'Hasn't he got them yet?' asked Rosamond in surprise. 'I thought it was all settled about them.'
'Settled enough if we'd got the rest of the money,' said Justin gruffly. 'But the people won't give Bob credit. You see he hasn't told whom he's getting them for, or they'd add on to the price thinking papa would pay. But he was to see them again this morning and try to get them to say they'd wait a week or two for the rest of it.'
'How much are you short?' asked Miss Mouse.
'Half, or as good as half,' answered Justin. 'They cost twelve shillings, and we've only got six and fourpence, or fivepence, I forget exactly.'
'Nearly six shillings,' repeated the little girl; 'that's a lot of money. I've never had as much at a time, except——'
'Except when?' asked Justin, eyeing her rather curiously.
'Except when I was collecting for something,' she replied, 'for papa's or mamma's birthday, or something like that.'
'Are you collecting just now?' asked Justin.