It _was_ a disappointment! Mother looked gravely at the clouds, Nurse
shook her head, and Father said it would never do for Rosie, who was not
strong, to go to a picnic if the weather was doubtful.
And it was more than doubtful; for a sharp shower made the grass and the
trees and the flowers look all the more beautiful to the poor child, who
was longing for a day in the woods.
"Mother, I believe it will clear up later," she said, looking at the
sky.
"I couldn't let you go, Rosie, for the grass would be wet."
"But I could sit on a rug."
"You couldn't walk on a rug, and the grass and underwood will be damp. I
am very sorry, Rosie, and it is a great disappointment; but, indeed, it
can't be helped." And Mrs. Seymour stooped to kiss her little girl.
At that moment a servant came to say that Miss Peters was in the
drawing-room.
Miss Peters was a very rich lady, who lived all alone in a beautiful
house about two miles away, and she had come to lend Mrs. Seymour some
books, and ask her if she would go for a drive with her on the following
day. Mrs. Seymour said she would be quite ready at the appointed time;
and when they spoke of the weather she told her friend what a
disappointment the rain had been to poor Rosie.
"Won't you let me take her home, Mrs. Seymour?" said Miss Peters. "I
have the carriage here, and we could wrap her up in rugs; and I will
bring her home this afternoon myself. Let me have her; I shall enjoy it;
and there will be an end to your difficulties."
Mrs. Seymour was very glad, but wondered if Rosie would like it, as she
was rather shy; but the little girl saw that it was the only arrangement
by which her brothers could have all their fun, so she went with Miss
Peters. She was a very grave little visitor, but Miss Peters was so kind
that Rosie could not be shy for long; and then there was so much, so
_very_ much, to see! The house was like a museum, the conservatory a
fairyland, and the garden a paradise of loveliness.
The showers all passed away, and Rosie could run about on the terraces,
where there were so many flowers that Miss Peters told her she might
pick what she liked, and Rosie made a very pretty bunch to take home,
which pleased her; and pleasanter still was Miss Peters's kiss as she
said, looking at the modest little nosegay, "I am glad to see that you
are not greedy, Rosie."
"Oh, that would be horrid when you are so kind!" said Rosie.
But what Rosie enjoyed most of all was that Miss Peters came out with
her, and, calling Jacob, the old gardener, she went down to the lake and
told him to get the boat ready, and then they went for a delightful row
on the clear water. Rosie _was_ happy then; she did not want Miss Peters
to talk to her, and was very glad that the lady had brought a book,
though she did not read much of it, for she was steering.
The only time Rosie did speak was when the great swan went gliding by,
and, lifting his wings, began to hiss at the boat in a rather alarming
manner. Then Rosie did touch Miss Peters's arm, asking, "Will he hurt
us?"
"No, dear; but we will not go very near that bank, as he has a nest
there, and might be angry if he thought we were going to disturb the
hen, who is sitting." And Miss Peters steered away from that end of the
lake.
Altogether Rosie passed a very happy day, and Miss Peters was so pleased
with her that when, after they had had tea together in the delightful
room that opened into the conservatory, she brought the child home, she
kissed her, saying, "Remember, Rosie, you must come and see me again. I
hope you have not been _very_ unhappy at not being at the picnic!"
Rosie laughed and shook her head.
"I don't think I have been sorry at all," she said; "I have been very
happy all the time, and I forgot about being disappointed."
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