When supper was over, her aunt said, "You may go out now for a little while, but don't go far from the house." Dora promised not to leave the garden, and ran off to search the hedge for the opening she wanted.

It was a white-thorn hedge, and so high and thick that the child could see neither through it nor over it, but down near the ground were here and there thin places, where one could look into the next garden; but only by lying close on the ground.

Little did Dora mind that; her one idea was to see the children.

She had never seen so large a family, boys and girls, big and little, and all so happy and merry.

And to have seen them all climbing into the carriage and driving off together! What a jolly party! She lay down on the ground in a little heap, and peered through the hedge.