Chapter 2

Baby brother is being washed this morning. He does not sit so quiet as he ought to do, and so his sister has, quite by accident, put the sponge in his eye. No wonder he should be making a wry face over it, and crying. If he had been still this would probably not have happened, as his sister is very careful not to hurt him. I hope the next time he is washed he will try to keep himself quiet.

ONLY A TOADSTOOL.

The children are out early this morning in the wood, to gather mushrooms, and have brought a basket to put them in. They have just found something among the roots of this old tree, which they thought at first was a mushroom, but I fear it is only a toadstool, it looks so very strange.

WATCHING THE MOON.

It is time to put baby to bed, but her sister is showing her the moon, shining out so brightly to-night in the deep blue sky. Baby is looking up at it, and is perhaps wondering what it is up there in the sky, so bright and round. It will shine into her little bed-room nearly all the night long.

FIRST STEPS.

Baby is learning to walk, and is stepping out boldly. Puss looks on quietly, but Tiny is barking with joy.

SUSAN'S SHOP.

Susan is playing at shop, and has placed herself behind a large chair, and is looking out for customers. She has dressed baby up in cook's great bonnet and jacket, and she is supposed to be the customer. And Susan is asking her what she will buy, as her scales are all ready to weigh up anything she wants. Baby is asking her if she sells barley-sugar, as, if she does, she would like to have some.

IN THE NURSERY.

The two little sisters are having fine fun in the nursery this morning. Baby dolly is to have a bath presently. The other dolls have at last got dressed in their new clothes, that have been so long making, and they are being jumped about and walked along as if they were really alive. The children are so fond of their dolls, they seem never tired of playing with them.

SUNDAY MORNING.

It is Sunday morning, and everything is quiet in the village. The blacksmith's hammer is still, the horses are in the stable, and the plough lies in the corner of the field. The children are hastening to the Sunday-school, with their Bible and hymn-book under their arm. Walter Rose is reading a Psalm to his wife and children, and then they will get ready for church.

GIVING DOGGIE A RIDE.

The little sisters have been giving dolly a ride in their basket-chaise. And now they think it is doggie's turn, and they are putting him in the chaise for a ride too. I am afraid he will not sit very nicely, but will be a troublesome rider. Poor dolly is lying on the floor, on her back. I hope she is not hurt.

THE GENTLE COW.

The cow is a quiet creature, and is one of the most useful of all animals. We have to thank the cow for our nice milk, and fresh butter. Mary often carries baby to the window of the cow-shed, and baby takes hold of the cow's horn, it is so harmless and gentle.

THE BOOKBINDER'S.

The children have called in to see the bookbinder's shop, and are looking at a map, which he has varnished for them. Arthur is telling his little sister he thinks he should like to be a bookbinder, it seems such a nice business.

HOW DARK IT IS!

Mama is going to put baby to bed, but she is taking her first to the window to show her how dark it is. And now baby must go to bed, for it is late. The little birds are already asleep beneath the roof, for they go to rest early at night, and rise very early in the morning. It is not so dark as this every night, but to-night the moon is not visible.

A RIDE DOWN-HILL.

Master Clarence is giving his sister Kate a ride in a wheelbarrow, but, as they are going down-hill, I am afraid she will not have a very comfortable ride, and will be very much jolted. And the next time he takes her out for a ride I hope he will find her something larger and pleasanter to ride in. I dare say she will be very glad to get out and walk presently.

THE THIEF ASLEEP.

Giles Scroggs is a lumpish farmer's boy, fat, silly, and lazy. He has but a faint idea of the use of a book, but he understands well the worth of an apple-dumpling. One morning the sly rogue got up very early to steal some apples, but climbing the wall to return he fell asleep on the top, with three rosy apples at his side, just as our artist has drawn him.

BREAKFAST TIME.

It is breakfast time, and this is a family just seated round the table. One of the little boys has put his plate upon his head, I suppose to attract attention to his wants. Baby stands on mama's knee, and seems determined he will not be forgotten. Papa will have enough to do to cut bread-and-butter for them all.

THE HARVEST FIELD.

It is very hot in the open fields to-day, and the reapers are weary. So they are sitting in the shadow of the sheaves, and are drinking some water, as working in the heat has made them very thirsty. The sun will go down presently, and then it will be cool and pleasant for them to walk home over the fields.

TAKING A WALK.

It is a pleasant spring morning, and the children are out early, taking a walk with mama. She is carrying the baby, and little Alice is taking her new doll by the hand to try and teach her to walk. Albert is riding his wooden horse, and Rover is barking at him, he is so pleased. They are not going far, and will turn back to breakfast presently.

WIND AND RAIN.

How it rains! I am afraid our party in the picture will all be wet to the skin. It is a pity they have only one umbrella among them, and they have a long distance to go before they reach home. It was fine when they started, so they were not prepared for such a storm. But perhaps it will soon be fine again.

WATCHING THE GARDENER.

Gardening is a nice employment, and so little Maria thinks, as with folded arms she watches the gardener attending to his plants. She is thinking how she should like to be putting plants into pots, watching for the seeds to come up, and the buds to expand into blossoms.

NOT HURT, I HOPE.

The road is so slippery this morning, after the frost, that little Harriet has just had a fall.

THE SICK BOY.

Master Thomas is very unwell to-day, so he has to stay at home and take some physic.

UNDER THE UMBRELLA.

Ellen and Maria are enjoying themselves in-doors this afternoon. They are sitting on the floor in the nursery, and have put up cook's old market umbrella to cover them. It is so large it makes quite a tent for them to sit under. They have two apples beside them, so I suppose they will have a feast presently.

THE MEETING.

Susan has long been expecting her little cousin from the country, and she has just arrived. When Susan has done kissing her, she will tell her how glad she is to see her, and show her her pretty doll and her playthings. The dog too is jumping up at her and barking, as though he would give her a welcome also.

MEDICINE FOR THE BABY.

James has come to the chemist's shop this morning for medicine for the baby, who is sick.

THE BROKEN CRADLE.

Harriet has just brought her doll's cradle to the carpenter, to get it mended. He is telling her to leave it, and he will soon repair it.

MORE KISSING.

Mama and baby are always kissing one another, and there will be kissing again when papa comes home.

THE STROLLING FIDDLER.

Poor old man! He is playing away merrily, though I dare say he is tired, and has perhaps walked many a mile this hot day. If he does not play very well, his music pleases the baby at the window. Here, poor man, is a penny for you.

THE DUNCE.

I am sorry to see that boy with the dunce's cap standing there in the middle of the school. I should think he must feel very much ashamed to be the laughing-stock of his schoolfellows. I do hope he will pay more attention.

THE WINDMILL.

The sails go round, and the corn is ground.

MAKING JAM.

Mama has been boiling some fruit to make jam for the winter, and given the children a large pan which has been used to make it. They are busy getting out every morsel of the syrup, for it is so nice and sweet.

OUR SHOP.

The tailor's children are having some fun, and, with the help of an old chair and their father's sleeve-board, have made themselves a shop.

EXCHANGING DOLLS.

The two cousins are each of them tired of their own doll, and are wanting to exchange. But they do not seem to like to trust one another, and so each is holding out her hand to the other, and neither of them seems willing to give her doll first. Even the dog looks as if he was surprised at them.

LION'S KENNEL.

Robert is cleaning out Lion's kennel this afternoon, for he is very fond of his dog. Lion seems to know well what Robert is doing for him.

LEARNING THE LESSONS.

George and Ellen are both fond of learning, and never neglect their lessons for anything. They learned them perfectly last night, and this morning they are looking them over again before going to school. I have no fear that either George or Ellen will grow up to be dunces.

WHO'LL HAVE THE APPLE?

Reuben is a clever little boy, and for his age knows very much. He has mounted a tree-stump in the garden, and is asking his brothers and sisters some questions. Whoever gives him the best answers is to have that nice apple he is holding up. They all seem puzzled, even the dog and cat.

THE REVERIE.

Little Martha has just come up into her bed-room, and is leaning her head against the chair, thinking of her dream last night. She dreamed that her uncle had invited her to pay him a visit, and she is just now wondering whether her dream will come true, as she likes going there.

KING OF THE CASTLE.

Tom has fastened the gate, and is laughing at his little playfellows, because they cannot get over the palings to him.

THE STEW PAN.

Mama has just gone out of the kitchen, and Miss Pry is looking to see what is in the stew-pan. This is very naughty.

OUR HALF-HOLIDAY.

This is half-holiday, and the four children are going to have a merry game in the fields. Even baby sister is going with her little dolly, and doggie seems determined he will not be left behind. I hope they will spend a pleasant afternoon, and not get into any mischief.

ON THE WALL.

What a daring little boy that young Edward is! He has climbed to the top of the wall, and his young cousins are cheering him. I hope he will not fall, and hurt himself.

"SHALL WE RING THE BELL?"

Poor little boys, they have no one to care for them, for their father and mother are drunken and idle, and send them about to beg. The children have been told that a kind Christian man lives at this house, and they are going to pull the bell and ask him to help them.

BRUSHING SISTER'S HAIR.

Little Emmeline has just been washed and dressed by her mama. So now she has got the hair-brush, and is standing on a chair brushing her sister Caroline's hair. Caroline has very long hair, so I hope Emmeline will not break it, for of course she does not quite understand how to handle the brush.

BABY BROTHER.

Baby brother is a great pet, I can tell you. Mama is afraid to lose sight of him, for fear any accident should happen to him. Jane and Robert watch for his waking up, so eager are they to nurse him, and even doggie jumps up as if he would say "Can I do anything for you?"

OUT IN THE GARDEN.

Julia is playing with her young brother in the garden. The little bird perched up there is looking as if he would like to play with them too. He has a nest in the trees behind, but I dare say he thinks the children are too kind and gentle to molest his pretty little family.

FEEDING THE RABBITS.

The children are busy in the yard this morning feeding the rabbits. They have opened the rabbit-hutch, and are going to give the rabbits some fresh vegetables. The cat behind is looking slyly on, as though she would like to pounce down among them.

AS MAMA DOES.

Little Bertha is having a tea party. The children have been playing, and now they are having tea, and Bertha is pouring it out for them. Even dolly is seated at the table, but they have forgotten to take her bonnet off. When tea is over they will go out and play in the garden.

OFFENDED.

Something has offended master Joseph, and he is leaning there in a sullen mood, and refuses to play any more. His little sisters are coaxing him to play with them again, and one of them in fun has taken his hat off his head. I hope he will not continue to be angry and sullen, for I am sure they did not mean to offend him.

JUST LIKE GRANDPAPA.

Master Samuel is full of fun, and having found his grandpapa's red cap and spectacles, has seated himself very gravely on one of the kitchen chairs, and is pretending to be grandpapa. I hope he will grow up to be as good a man as his grandpapa is. I can wish nothing better for him, I am quite sure.

OFF TO SCHOOL.

The clock has just struck, and Amy, with her school satchel behind her, is just bidding good-bye to her little sister. She wanted to tell her how to dry her doll's clothes, but she cannot stay now.

FLOATING THE DUCKS.

Baby is highly amused this evening. Papa has brought him home two little toy ducks, and mama has put them in some water in a large tub, where they are floating about.

ALBERT'S HORSE.

Albert is fond of striding a wooden horse, with a horn at his side.

WAITING FOR THE RAIN.

The children were just starting for school, when the rain suddenly came on, and prevented them. But it will be over presently.

BREAKFAST FOR MAMA.

Mama is not well this morning, for she took cold yesterday going over the wet fields to visit the poor man who is dying. So she is not up so early as usual, and Harriet is taking her a cup of hot coffee. Harriet will not let the servant wait on her mama when she is ill, because she can herself pay her more attention. She is walking on tip-toe to avoid making a noise, as sick persons like to be quiet.

"MAMA, I DO LOVE YOU SO."

Ethel is a loving little girl, and is always clinging about her mama. Mama wishes to do some knitting just now, but Ethel is clinging to her, and is saying, "Mama, I do love you so." I am afraid mama will not be able to do much knitting while Ethel interrupts her in this manner.

MAKING A PUDDING.

Mama is busy this morning making a pudding, and the children are watching the process with great interest. Richard is asking her whether she is going to use all that great loaf of lump sugar in making it. Tom seems to know better, and is telling him if she were to put all that in the pudding it would be so sweet that they would not like to eat it.

"HOW DO YOU DO, POLL?"

"Poll" is a fine parrot, and seems very happy and contented, swinging there on his perch. He likes to be talked to, and can answer very plain. If you say to him, "How do you do, Poll?" he will answer you, "Quite well, thank you, and how are you?" Poll is quite a companion, he is so intelligent.

JOHN'S NEW TOY.

John is in high glee, for his aunt has bought him a new toy. It is a figure made of paste-board, and it throws out its legs and arms.

THE SECRET.

Emma seems whispering something in her sister's ear as if it was a secret. I do not know why she should whisper, for no one seems near to overhear them. I suppose it is something about their dolls, else about little Fan, who is lying beside them on the floor, and who seems to be very tired.

ELLEN'S DREAM.

Ellen is very fond of animals, and likes to read about them. Papa has just bought her a pretty book, in which she has been reading a good deal about sheep and shepherds. I suppose it is owing to this that she dreamed last night she was a shepherdess, with a crook in her hand, and her sheep lying in the fields around her, just as our artist has drawn in the picture.

QUARRELLING.

This is a sad scene. The two little sisters are quarrelling over their playthings, and I am afraid the dolls will get damaged in their angry strife. The little lamb lies upset on the chair, the little dolly is sprawling on the floor, and the dress of the bigger one will certainly be torn. It is a pity the two sisters should quarrel in this manner, and about such trifles too.

DILIGENT CHARLES.

Charles is one of the most diligent boys in his school. He does not dislike a good game in the playground, but, when you see him there, you may be sure his lessons have all been learned first. The diligent schoolboy generally becomes a successful man, but a dunce seldom gets on in after-life.

TIRED OF IT.

Arthur Jones has been writing some exercises in grammar this morning. He has not done much, but he is quite tired of it already. He wishes the clock would strike twelve, that he might leave off, and spin the top at his side. Shame on you, lazy Arthur!

THE SULKY GIRL.

Here is a little party of children, playing in the wood-yard this afternoon. They have been having some merry games, and had just arranged to meet again next half-holiday. Suddenly one of the little girls took offence at something, and walked away, and would not play any more. It is a pity she is sulky, and so apt to take offence. I dare say her little friends did not intend to offend her.

THE SICK DOLLS.

The two little sisters are making a great fuss just now about their sick dolls. They have been making something warm for them, and are now about to put them to bed in the cradle. One of them is being hushed to sleep. They are taking pains to have the mattress smooth and well shaken up, so that the dolls may have a soft bed. But I am afraid the cradle is not quite big enough for both of them, and if so they will not be very comfortable.

"WHAT SHALL WE DO?"

The poor children have just accidentally broken their pitcher. No wonder they are so sad.

AN AFTERNOON NAP.

Lucy has just been asleep in the great arm-chair. She little thinks what pussy is about.

THE PUMP.

The children are up early this morning getting some water at the pump. The geese are watching them, as if they were longing to have a little of it. Perhaps the little girl will give them some when she has filled her jar, for she is very thoughtful for dumb animals, and they all like her very much, and follow her about. It is a good sign when children are kind to animals.

THE PLAYTHINGS.

Little Ellen seems ill at ease just now. She has got a nice doll, a chest of drawers, and a doll's cradle. But she is coveting her little brother's playthings besides, and seems cross because she cannot have his horse and stable, and little cart. This is very wrong. We should be content with what we have, and not covet what belongs to others.

GRANDMAMA.

Mama has brought the children to see grandmama this afternoon. She is so glad to see them. One of them is handing her some tea.

HELPING COOK.

The children are spending an hour in the kitchen with cook. It is fine fun for them.

IN THE SUMMER-HOUSE.

Baby is hugging and kissing his sister in the summer-house. It is a nice cool place to play in.

THE EMPTY POCKET.

The children are buying some fruit at the fruit stall. Poor little Richard and his sister are walking sadly away, for they have no money.

A STRANGE SEAT FOR DOLLY.

Baby has strayed up into a spare room, where papa keeps some of his old books, and she is having rare fun here all by herself. She has brought up her two dolls, one of which she has seated in a basket, and is finding a seat for the other on a great old clasped book. Papa little thinks what baby is about, but I dare say she will be missed presently, and then they will find her very busy up here.

STUDIOUS HERBERT.

Herbert is a studious boy, fond of books, and is very careful to learn his lessons well. These long winter evenings are very nice for learning, and just now Herbert is making great progress. It is late this evening, but he is not willing to go up to bed till he has learned all his lessons for to-morrow. He would have learned them earlier but he has been to tea with his cousins, and so when he came home just now he lit the lamp, and sat down to his work. When Herbert leaves school I dare say he will get a good situation, as any one will be glad to employ him.

WAITING.

Maria is waiting for her little cousin to come and play with her in papa's bed-room. She is standing on the top of the stairs listening, and is wondering why she does not come. She will come up presently, I suppose, and then they will have a nice game all to themselves, without disturbing any one in the house.

"YOU SHAN'T COME IN."

The boys are at home just now for their holidays, and mama is half distracted with their noise. When it is fine they prefer to be in the fields, but when it is wet they are chasing one another about all the day long. One of them has just run up into this room, and is telling his brothers outside they shall not come in.

CAUGHT.

Master Andrew has just been caught by the old gentleman, who is giving him a few smart strokes with his cane. I am glad of it, for he is a mischievous lad. He was sent to school just now, but instead of hastening there he thought he would stroll through the plantation and see if he could find any birds' nests. Now the old gentleman is very fond of his birds, and will not have them molested. Hearing the crashing of the boughs, he soon discovered the offender, and after a short chase caught him. This beating serves Andrew right, and I hope he will in future leave the poor birds alone.

"BE A GOOD DOLLY."

Louisa is so fond of her dolls. She has two of them, and places a pillow in her little basket chaise, and draws them about the garden. She is as attentive to them as if they were two little babies, and takes more care of them than some thoughtless mothers do of their children. She is going to take them out for a ride this morning, and is kissing them. I hope she will make them a comfortable seat on the pillows, or else they will not have a very nice ride.

THE LITTLE SQUIRREL.

The children are offering some bread to a pretty squirrel their father found in the wood.

NEARLY DRESSED.

Matilda is nearly dressed. She will be ready for her breakfast now in a few minutes, and then must make haste to school.

THE KITES.

There is a nice breeze this afternoon, and this hill-side is just the place for flying a kite. Two kites are already flying merrily up in the sky, and our two young friends will fly theirs when they get a little higher up, near the windmill.

THE BOOKSELLER.

The boys like to call on Mr. Leaf, because he has such nice books. But sometimes they merely sit down and read them.

TAKING A PHOTOGRAPH.

The squire has called at the studio to-day to have his carte taken, and the photographer is placing him in the best position.