won't; because Becky told
me one day her mother would like us very much to come some time if you'd
let us. And Nana could come and help Mrs. Backhouse, and we could all
wash up the tea-things afterwards, like we did at the picnic."

"Then Tiza mustn't sit next me," said Olly, who had been listening in
silence to all the arrangements. "She takes away my bread and butter
when I'm not looking, and I don't like it, not a bit."

"No, Olly dear, she shan't," said Milly, taking his hand and fondling
it, as if she were at least twenty years older. "I'll sit on one side of
you and Becky on the other," a prospect with which Olly was apparently
satisfied, for he made no more objections.

"Well, you must ask Mrs. Backhouse yourselves," said Mrs. Norton. "And
if it is her washing-day, or inconvenient to her at all, you mustn't
think of going, you know."

So early next morning, Milly and Nana and Olly went up to the farm, and
came back with the answer that Mrs. Backhouse would be very pleased to
see them at tea on Thursday, the 15th, and that John Backhouse would
have cut the hay-field by the river by then, and they could have a romp
in the hay afterwards.

Wednesday was a deeply interesting day to Olly. He and his mother went
over by themselves to Wanwick, and they bought something which the
shopwoman at the toy-shop wrapped up in a neat little parcel, and which
Olly carried home, looking as important as a little king.

"Milly," he began at dinner, "_wouldn't_ you like to know about your
presents? But of course I shan't tell you about mine. Perhaps I'm not
going to give you one at all. Oh, mother," in a loud whisper to Mrs.
Norton, "did you put it away safe where she can't see?"

"Oh, you silly boy," said Milly, "you'll tell me if you don't take
care."

"No, I shan't. I wouldn't tell you if you were to go on asking me all
day. It isn't very big, you know, Milly, and--and--it isn't pretty
outside--only--"

"Be quiet, chatterbox," said Mr. Norton putting his hand over Olly's
mouth, "you'll tell in another minute, and then there'll be no fun
to-morrow."

So Olly with great difficulty kept quiet, and began eating up his
pudding very fast, as if that was the only way of keeping his little
tongue out of mischief.

"Father," he said after dinner, "do take Milly out for a walk, and
mother shall take me. Then I can't tell, you know."

So the two went out different ways, and Olly kept away from Milly all
day, in great fear les