My grief at parting with him was lessened by the distraction of another question.
Of all places about our equipage, I should have preferred riding with the postilion.

Short of that, I was most anxious to sit behind in the rumble with my nurse.

This favour was at length conceded, and after a long farewell from my father, gilded with a sovereign in my pocket, I was, with a mountain of wraps, consigned to the care of Nurse Bundle in the back seat.
The dew was still on the ground, the birds sang their loudest, the morning air was fresh and delicious, and before we had driven five miles on our way I could have eaten three such breakfasts as the one I had rejected at six o'clock.

In the first two villages through which we drove people seemed to be only just getting up and beginning the day's business.

In one or two "genteel" houses the blinds were still down; in reference to which I resolved that when _I_ grew up I would not waste the best part of the day in bed, with the sun shining, the birds singing, the flowers opening, and country people going about their business, all beyond my closed windows.
"Nurse, please, I should like always to have breakfast at six o'clock.
Do you hear, Nursey ?" I added, for Mrs.Bundle feigned to be absorbed in contemplating a flock of sheep which were being driven past us.
"Very well, my dear.