Mary stooped down to take hold of one side of the cart, while her sister took hold of the other, and so they lifted it up.
"Rodolphus," said Ellen, "I think you had better help them carry the cart home."
"Yes," said Rodolphus, "I will."
So Rodolphus took the wheel out of the cart and gave it to Mary to carry, and then lifting up the cart bodily, he put it upside down upon his head, as if it were a cap, and then began to run after the girls with it. They fled, filling the air with shouts of laughter, and thus the three went off together, all in high glee.
The end of it was, that Ellen bought the cart, and Antonio made a new axletree for it, and put it, in all respects, in complete repair. He also painted it beautifully inside and out, making it look better than when it was new. Ellen's motive in getting the cart was chiefly to promote Annie's amusement, but still she valued it herself, very highly.
She used often to lend it to Rodolphus when he was playing with Annie in the yard, and Rodolphus would draw his sister about in it. Ellen always gave him many cautions not to go too fast, and was very careful never to allow him to put any thing inside that would bruise or soil it. There was a little seat inside for Annie to sit upon, with a box beneath it where a small basket of provisions could be stored, in case of an excursion. Beechnut had promised, too, to make Annie a whip, and Ellen was going to make her a pair of reins, so that when Rodolphus was drawing her she might play drive.
But to return to the story.
Rodolphus drew the cart up to the door, and taking up the book, he put it upon Annie's lap and then began to move away again.
"Stop," said Annie; "stop, and let me get out."
"No," said Rodolphus, "I am going to draw you to school."