The children were all hungry and thirsty, and they gathered around the table to eat the excellent dinner which Mary Erskine had provided for them, with an air of great eagerness and delight.
After their dinner was over, Mary Erskine said that they might go out and play for half an hour, and that then she would go with them into the fields, and see if they could not find some strawberries.
Accordingly, when the time arrived, they all assembled at the door, and Mary Erskine came out, bringing mugs and baskets to put the strawberries in.

There were four mugs made, of tin; such as were there called _dippers_.

There were two pretty large baskets besides, both covered.

Mary Erskine gave to each of the children a dipper, and carried the baskets herself.

She seemed to carry them very carefully, and they appeared to be heavy, as if there might be something inside.
Phonny wanted very much to know what there was in those baskets.