"It is really very odd," she said afterwards to Mrs. Vavasour,
in a somewhat aggrieved tone, "that when Horace always
declares he cannot find time to walk with me, or even to talk
to me, he should spend half his morning romping with the
children in the nursery." And Mrs. Vavasour, who had also gone
upstairs with Madge and Harry when they had finished their
lessons, had not much to say in answer.
CHAPTER IV.
Ich kann nicht hin!
One day, Madelon said to Mrs. Vavasour, "Please let me have
all the children for a walk this afternoon."
"What, all! my dear girl," said Mrs. Vavasour; "you don't know
what you are undertaking."
"Oh, yes, I do," Madelon answered, smiling; "they will be very
good, I know, and Madge will help me."
So they all set out for their walk, through the garden, and
out at the gate that led at once into the fields which
stretched beyond. They walked one by one along the narrow
track between the springing corn, a little flock of brown-
holland children, and Madelon last of all, in her fresh grey
spring dress. Harry had a drum, and marched on in front,
drubbing with all his might; and Jack followed, brandishing a
sword, and blowing a tin trumpet.
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