Pippa heard something in the laugh that made her heart beat hopefully.
"I am," she said reflectively, "not very big. Or," she continued, "a cart would be a _very_ nice ting to sleep in. I wonder what it feels like to sleep in a cart."
"Time you went to bed," said Miss Mason grimly.
Pippa got up reluctantly. "Bon soir, Monsieur Barnabas," she said, with a little sigh. "I wonder if Mademoiselle Aurora can darn holes in men's socks. Madame Barbin taught me to darn--oh, but to darn very beautifully. Much walking will no doubt make many holes."
Barnabas telegraphed a question to Miss Mason.
"You'd get tired walking," said Miss Mason gruffly.
Pippa looked dubious. "I am not ver' 'eavy. I could perhaps ride in ze cart just sometimes. Besides," she ended hopefully, "it is ver' good to be tired. One sleep well at night."
"Well, go to bed and sleep well now," said Miss Mason.
"Good night, Aunt Oleeve, good night, Monsieur Barnabas." She went away sorrowfully.
"Do you think she might come?" said Barnabas. "I'd take great care of her."
"You'll tire her out, and she'll be a trouble to you," said Miss Mason. She was hating the thought of parting with the child.
"Not a bit," said Barnabas. "The question is, will you spare her?"
"You've a genius for hitting the truth full on the head, Barnabas. I suppose I must. She'd adore it, and the open air life would be excellent for her."
And so it was arranged. And the tour in the donkey-cart was to be fraught with a curious little incident which was to lead infinitely further than anyone could imagine.
Thursday dawned bright and sunny under a cloudless sky.
The donkey-cart was outside Barnabas' studio, and Pippa in a green dress and rough straw hat trimmed with daisies was feeding the animal with sugar. She had instantly christened him Pegasus, for though he was not a winged horse he was most unquestionably a magic steed.
Painting materials, a hamper of provisions, and the tent were packed into the cart. Pippa climbed in. Seated on the luggage she held the reins. Barnabas took hold of the bridle.
The men were in tweed knickerbocker suits and soft felt hats. Aurora was in a blue serge skirt, a white blouse, scarlet tie, and a blue sun-bonnet. She felt that the attire was suited to the part of a vagabond.