As soon as they understood their governess's pleasure, they readily resolved to obey her commands, and desired that, after school, they might take a walk as far as the dairy house, to eat some curds and cream.Mrs.Teachum not only granted their request, but said she would dispense with their school-attendance that afternoon, in order to give them more time for their walk, which was between two and three miles; and she likewise added, that she herself would go with them.They all flew like lightning to get their hats, and to equip themselves for their walk; and, with cheerful countenances, attended Mrs.Teachum in the schoolroom.This good gentlewoman, so far from laying them under a restraint by her presence, encouraged them to run in the fields, and to gather flowers; which they did, each miss trying to get the best to present to her governess.In this agreeable manner, with laughing, talking, and singing, they arrived at the dairy-house, before they imagined they had walked a mile.
There lived at this dairy-house an old woman, near seventy years of age.She had a fresh colour in her face; but was troubled with the palsy, that made her head shake a little.She was bent forward with age, and her hair was quite grey: but she retained much good-humour, and received this little party with hearty welcome.
Our little gentry flocked about this good woman, asking her a thousand questions.Miss Polly Suckling asked her, 'Why she shook her head so?' and Miss Patty Lockit said, 'She hoped her hair would never be of such a colour.'
Miss Jenny Peace was afraid they would say something that would offend the old woman, and advised them to turn their discourse.'Oh! let the dear rogues alone,' says the old woman; 'I like their prattle;' and, taking Miss Polly by the hand, said, 'Come, my dear, we will go into the dairy, and skim the milk pans.' At which words they all run into the dairy, andsome of them dipped their fingers in the cream; which when Mrs.Nelly perceived (who was the eldest daughter of the old woman, and who managed all the affairs) she desired they would walk out of the dairy, and she would bring them what was fit for them: upon which Miss Dolly Friendly said, 'she had rather be as old and good-natured as the mother, than as young and ill-natured as the daughter.'
The old woman desired her company to sit down at a long table, which she soon supplied with plenty of cream, strawberries, brown bread, and sugar.Mrs.Teachum took her place at the upper end, and the rest sat down in their usual order, and eat plentifully of these good things.After which, Mrs.Teachum told them they might walk out and see the garden and orchard, and by that time it would be proper to return home.
The good old woman showed them the way into the garden; and gathered the finest roses and pinks she could pick, and gave them to Miss Polly, to whom she had taken a great Fancy.
At their taking leave, Mrs.Teachum rewarded the good old woman for her trouble; who, on her part, expressed much pleasure in feeing so many well-behaved young ladies; and said, she hoped they would come often.
These little friends had not walked far in their way home, before they met a miserable ragged fellow, who begged their charity.Our young folks immediately gathered together about this poor creature, and were hearkening very earnestly to his story, which he set forth in a terrible manner, of having been burnt out of his house, and, from one distress to another, reduced to that miserable state they saw him in, when Mrs.Teachum came up to them.She was not a little pleased to see all the misses' hands in their pockets, pulling out half-pence, and some sixpences.She told them, she approved of their readiness to assist the poor fellow, as he appeared to them; but oftentimes those fellows made up dismal stories without much foundation, and because they were lazy, and would not work.Miss Dolly said, indeed she believed the poor man spoke truth; for he looked honest; and, besides, he seemed almost starved.
Mrs.Teachum told them it would be late before they could get home; so, after each of them had given what they thought proper, they pursued their walk, prattling all the way.
They got home about nine o'clock; and, as they did not choose any supper, the bell rang for prayers; after which our young travellers retired to their rest, where we doubt not but they had a good repose.
