At eight o’clock, Mrs. Lee had bundled up the children in their warm hoods and cloaks, ready for a start. Then they wanted to be off at once, and Flora’s mother could hardly keep her from running out in the cold, before the things were ready.
I suppose my readers all know that in the city, or any where, when they want to have a great time, they get up a procession, and march through the streets. They sometimes have wagons, and chariots, and carriages.
Mr. Lee, who was very glad to find that the children were so kind as to remember the poor widow on Christmas, meant to surprise them. So he got up a kind of procession. Perhaps you will think it was a queer procession; but it pleased the children ever so much, and Flora was almost wild with delight.
While they were looking out the window, they saw Mr. Lee drive up with the carryall. He came very slowly, for behind him was a wagon with a cord of wood on it, drawn by two yokes of oxen. Then came a cart with two barrels of potatoes, a barrel of flour, and a barrel of apples on it. Behind this was a wagon loaded with buckets of sugar, rice, coffee, with packages of tea, salt, and other groceries; a ham, a turkey, a keg of salt pork; and a great many other things.
Flora screamed with delight when she saw this procession. It was more grand than an army of soldiers, and she thought she would rather go in it than be the Queen of England.
Frank was pleased, and so were the two city cousins. Henry even went so far as to wish he had given all his money, instead of half of it.
The children all bolted out at the front door, and Mr. Lee helped them into the carryall.
“This is first rate, father,” said Flora. “Won’t Mrs. White be surprised!”
“I think she will be,” replied Mr. Lee. “She will have good reason to be surprised.”
“I hope you have got lots of things.”