Australian Tales - Setis

Boys and Girls! Beware of Snakes!
“SEE, papa,” cried Minnie Maybud, one doubtful looking afternoon.
“See, papa, the smiling sun is peeping out at last, from behind those cross
looking clouds; there is a bit of blue sky too, as big as my parasol, and
it's getting bigger every minute. Yes, the rain is all over, I do believe; so
we can have our drive to Coogee beach after all. I'm so glad,” said little
Minnie, clapping her hands with joy, as she bounded inside from the
balcony, bringing sunshine with her.
“I have been quite vexed with the weather all the morning,” continued
little Minnie, “though I know it was silly of me, and perhaps sinful too;
for as you have explained to me, papa, all the clever men in the colony
could not have saved the thirsty vegetation, if the rain had kept away
much longer. I am sure the poor cows and horses, and sheep, will be
glad. I will be more patient in future, during wet weather; yes, that I will.
Now, papa dear, please tell Simon to get the carriage ready, and come
along, Anna,” she added, as she caught her sister round the waist, “come
away, dear; let us get on our hats and mantles; and find our shell baskets.
We will have a merry afternoon on the nice white sandy beach, and play
at catch-me-if-you-can, with the big waves which come toppling over
and over each other, with their white curly heads looking like cart loads
of cauliflowers.” Away skipped the happy girls to their room; humming
“shells of ocean.”
Half an hour afterwards, the carriage containing Minnie and her sister
with their mamma and their governess, was rolling briskly along the road
towards Coogee. The morning showers had imparted new life and
loveliness to the vegetable world, and everything looked refreshed. The
pretty bush flowers, which bloomed in profuse variety on either side of
the road, seemed to vie with the smiling faces of the blooming maidens
in the carriage. The sun shone out bright and warm; making the drops of
moisture on the bushes sparkle like diamonds, and the mimic rain pools
in the road to look as if they were full of new sovereigns; while the air
was far more fragrant than the shops of Rowland, Rimmell, or any other
great perfumer.
“Stop, if you please, Simon,” said Mrs. Maybud to the coachman,
when he had driven to the end of the smooth road. The road was not then
made quite down to the beach, as it is at the present time. “Stop, Simon, I
think you had better not make Jacky draw the carriage through this heavy